Do these loco's share the same power chassis? I have an F3 that is a 'dog' and wish to try a new power unit. F3's are kinda gone-more F7's available. i'll swap the shells and then all will be good. Doug Harrington
Doug, I'm not sure whether IMRC's F3 and F7s share the same power unit, but what do you mean, exactly, by saying your F3 is a dog? Poor pulling power? Noisy? If it's noise, did you disassemble the internal components (say, to install a DCC decoder)? --Bryan
well, yes and no. I did do a dis-assembly to lube the motor and get the gunk out of the worms and re-lube. Had to replace a truck but don't remember if it was this one or not..I've got an A-B-B lashup and this is one of the B's. The other B and A match up good but this one is too slowwwww- at step 3, 50, or 99, forward or reverse. Using a Digitrax system. No matter what I do, it doesn't behave well. It's quiet, smooth, but .....hate to hamstring two for the sake of one. The other two run like a swiss watch using digitrax decoders.
Contact Ron Beardon -He just fixed a couple of similar IM F7 units for me and now they run like Kato units.
I have a few like this, I think it's a motor/winding issue. They are, of course, interchangeable with others and I've done that before too. Funny thing is, the slow ones usually lash well together! It seems like a 1/6 or 1/10 issue (I have had a LOT of IM's F units). Of course, I happened to ask IM the other day if they have/sell spare power chassis, the rep said check back when the next batch of F's arrives. I need about 4 power chassis for custom painted shells I have.... Time to ebay for donors!!
Well, thank you kindly, sir. I can buy an F7. i don't care about the shell, soo.....if you, or any body perusing this message string, need a particular shell, for the right price, let me know REAL quick, cuz tomorrow I will oder the unit.
ok, I'll bite---what does it do, in a nutshell, or am i gonna have to go running for those wonderful digitrax manuals? I use decoder pro, anywho. not really sure what droop compensation for speed stabilization does. ( i looked it up)
It is BEMF, 0 turns it off, factory setting is 6. I never thought of this either till Rich Businger suggested it. Bob.
thanks for the suggestion of a CV change. I will try it out today and see what happens. Ya'll may have saved me some bucks! I'll let you know, one way or the other.This came about when trying to speed match a consist of three. I'll probably have to start that process over. Doug Harrington, Houston, TX
When consisting, it becomes more important to use CV57 = 102. When the consist is broken, sometimes the decoders have problems by running the locomotives really slow and this is the cure
that's some valuable info, right there! Even tho this consist is planned to never be broken apart, there may come a time when it will be necessary, I can think of a turntable ride where the table is too short for the entire lash-up, of course then it would be done extra slow anyhow-IF they would respond to a throttle setting of 1! Doug (anxious to finish chores and get to it)Harrington
Contact intermountain, they have the best customer service out there. I'm sure they will do what it takes to make you happy.
If it were me, I would just remove the motor and make it a dummy. Since you're going to use it in a dedicated ABB lashup, it's highly unlikely that you will ever need more power than two powered F units provide. Just an option.
