FVM ES44AC Shell...

mtntrainman Feb 26, 2013

  1. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    ...Will the FVM ES44AC Shell fit on the Kato ES44AC mechanism ?

    I really like the FVM shell...all them warning labels everywhere that the kato doesnt look to have. However...I am more then dissatisfied with the mechanism. Truth be told...its on the deadline right now...collecting dust....I gave up trying to fix it !!

    :angry:
     
  2. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    if you have a sd70mac,ac4400, or a dash 9 pull the shell off and try to put your fvm shell on to the mech.
     
  3. sandro schaer

    sandro schaer TrainBoard Member

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    i'd trash the fvm unit as a whole. why not just add a few warning decals to a kato unit ?


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Chris1274

    Chris1274 TrainBoard Member

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    One thing I wish Kato would do is make the window on the cab door a real window instead of just the outline of one. Even Athearn managed to do it on their sd70m.
     
  5. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dont have any of the above. Kinda why I was hoping someone out there may have tried it ;-)
     
  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    But...I already have a detailed shell with warning labels ;-) Plus...I have heard the FVM shell has all around finer details then the Kato.
     
  7. Smike

    Smike TrainBoard Member

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    Kato paint on the shells is a big issue, needs work. Anyway to answer at least part of your answer the FVM Gevo shell will not fit on the Katao AC4400 Mech. So if the mech of the AC440o is the same as the Gevo then no dice.
     
  8. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thnxs Smike...

    I was hoping it would but oh well.
     
  9. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Refresh me, George: What is the issue with the FVM? Can you describe what happened?
     
  10. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'll go snap some pics Jim...but in a nutshell:

    The bottom power tab off the motor...which goes behind the wider tab that comes down from the board...spins out from under that big tab and shorts against the frame. This is the second one in a row. NOT operator error...as I only find the problem when the locomotive starts to sputter or just stops on the rail. I carefully remove the shell and thats when I see the motor tab sticking out from under the board tab. I also notice the top one tries to do the same thing...but I'm thinking because it is higher up and has more pressure against it from the board tab it doesnt quite make it out from underneath. It sure has me baffled.

    *Ill get some pics taken tomorrow morning and post em on this thread. THE Wife and I have some TV shows we are going to watch tonight.
     
  11. seanm

    seanm TrainBoard Member

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    Seems like that should be an easy fix somehow. Interested to see the pics.
     
  12. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    I have dozens of the FVM units and not a one of them has an issue like this. Lets see the photos and get this fixed for you!
     
  13. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ok guys...

    Here is a pic of the problem. I did move the lightboard a few MM to the rear so you could see where the motor tab wedges between the frame and the lightboard tab.
    [​IMG]

    I just removed the shell for the third time. As you can see..the motor tab has come out from under the lightboard tab...again. The brushcap and tab rotates fairly easy on the bottom of the motor. The motor tab then jams against the frame and shorts. I have 'slid' the motor tab back under the lightboard tab twice now and put the shell back on. The locomotive will run about a foot before it stops. Removal of the shell again shows the problem has returned :-(

    Now..before anyone gets the idea I am bashing FVM...thats not it. I am just frustarted beyond belief...as this is the second brand new ES44AC from 2 different etailers with the same problem. Heres hoping some of you can at lest relate !
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 27, 2013
  14. Phillip33

    Phillip33 TrainBoard Member

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    Personally I would put the tab back in place and put a piece of Kapton tape over it and see if the problem persists. I isolate any points of contact that have the possibility of shorting out with Kapton tape. Cheap insurance. Good luck its never fun when they don't run.
     
  15. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thnxs for the reply Phillip...

    One problem I see with that soultion is...the motor tab goes UNDER the lightboard tab. Trying to slip a piece of tape behind the lightboard tab may not work as the lightboard tab is pretty tight to the side of the motor housing. The motor tab comes up from the bottom...so ya cant just wiggle a piece of tape up from the bottom. You would need to put something between the lightboard tab and motor to give room to slip the sticky tape in from the side and hope it doesnt stick to to the lightboard tab too soon.
     
  16. JDG

    JDG TrainBoard Member

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    Why not just solder the two together? I believe some of the earlier FVM units they were done this way.
     
  17. JSL

    JSL TrainBoard Member

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    Fix

    I have a ton of these engines and have never had that problem with any of them. I agree that you should be able to use a piece of kapton tape to solve the issue. Did you talk to Matt at FVM? I know that he has sent out replacement chassis when some people had issues.
     
  18. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thought about that also. BUT...what happens when it comes time to do some 'routine maintenance' and you have to disassembe the thing to clean it? The lightboard would be soldered to the motor tab on one side. Yes...you could just leave it on the one frame half...true. There are 2 really tiny springs under the lightboard in the front (not a good design) to help keep the board in contact with the frame. Trying to slip the lightboard in from the front is a PITA as it is...doing it from the side and not knocking them springs into outterspace may take more then a few beers :-(
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 27, 2013
  19. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    No...havent contacted Matt...yet. Was hoping there was an easy solution. I hear matt is a great guy and his customer service is exceptional. I just know I am gonna hear "Send it back and we will fix it or replace it .'" Ok...here is my take on that. I paid postage to get the locomotive from an etailer back east on the first one. It developed the problem discribed above. The etailer had me mail it back ( I paid that postage). They where nice enough to credit my CC back for the cost of the locomotive. I then bought a new one from an etailer closer to me. I paid that postage also. Now...if I have to mail it to matt I have to pay postage again. All this postage will sooner or later add up to more the then cost of the locomotive !! My postage costs so far are 1/3 the cost of the locomotive as it is :-( It shouldnt cost me ANYTHING to get a brand new locomotive to work. And the locomotives shouldnt be having the same problems. As you can see/tell my frustration level is about maxed out :-(

    *** 1000's of these things out there...and I get the only 2 with the same problem ? I guess I wont be playing the lottery again any time soon...LOL.

    **** I discribed the problem I see trying to get that kapton tape BEHIND the lightboard tab and in front of the motor. I can try...just dont see it working out well ;-)
     
  20. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ok...I left a message for Matt. We will see how it goes. I'm really NOT trying to be negative guys....but its getting harder not to be....*sigh*
     

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