Friends, not sure where I should post this query but here goes.
Think Dapol steamer 4.6.2 "William Shakespeare".
The locomotive has had a new motor fitted by Dapol, it has NOT, as yet, been run-in.
It works, after a fashion but VERY erratic i.e. OK for about 3 feet then stutters, then it's OK again. It stops at one turnout (point)!
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I have a stable of 8 Diesel type loco's and one reconstructed Class 101 fitted with the Tomytec 18M chassis.
Apart from 2 that I know are poor runners the diesels float around the layout without problems. The Class 101 had never run before since I rebuilt it, all I did was lubricate it and it worked like clockwork, no problems at all!
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Before anyone asks, the track and the wheels have been cleaned and between each loco. ALL of the others cross the problem point without hesitation and complete a full circuit?
Could it be those horrible little wires between the loco body and the tender?
Could it be that I have to return it to Dapol again?
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?
Your comments would be appreciated, Peter.
Peter,
Sounds like you need to return it to Dapol (at Dapol's expense). Ask them to fix the problem and then TEST it before they return it. If you tinker yourself you'll be letting them of the hook as they'll try and blame you.
Pretty shoddy when the manufacturer can't even get a working loco to the customer.
Cheers
Dave
Is it DC or DCC ?
ok that rules out my next suggestion then :-)
how about ...
have you got a bit of test track you can run it on instead of your main layout, or a rolling road ?
Peter, you have better things to do!
Assume it's new. In which case send it back from whence it came and ask for one that works.
Hattons and RoS have always been helpful when I've called them and reported the problem item. As mentioned get them to credit you with the return (signed for) postage!
Dave G
Quote from: cjdodd on September 24, 2014, 04:22:10 PM
ok that rules out my next suggestion then :-)
how about ...
have you got a bit of test track you can run it on instead of your main layout, or a rolling road ?
Thankyou the answer to both questions is no!
Peter.
I have just received a class 58 and I have just run it in but I am concerned over it as it runs fine it is very smooth but I have to turn the dial a third of the way before it moves, I have lightly oiled as advised before running in, all my other loco,s move off as soon as I turn the dial on my DC controler.
Should I be concerned?
On the Britannia it sounds like poor pickup - may be one or both of the tender-loco wires has come adrift or snapped.
On the 58 - this is fairly normal - they are low geared so the top speed it not nearly as high as other Dapol models and takes a larger turn of the control to therefore get them to a comparable speed to others.
HTH,
Alan
If the poor running is position related it could be the track. I know you said it was clean, but steamers are more sensitive to uneven track than diesels, having a rigid wheelbase as opposed to bogies which can move to accomodate irregularities.
Sorry Peter.
I should have read your post properly but still send it back if Dapol have fitted new parts and it doesn't work.
I guess the advice offered by Dr Al and Steve is probably correct. Maybe if you have a multi-meter you can check the offending point?
Hope you get the problem resolved.
Dave G
Thankyou everyone for all the advice.
I think I have found the reason for the problem.
Last night I sat down at a table with my magnifying light and my magnifying glasses and discovered what appears to be a 90 degree kink in one of those horrible little wires between tender and loco.
In the spares bag supplied there are (2) new ones, plus bits whose positions I have no idea where they go, all I have to figure out is how to remove the screws!
I bought a set of interchangeable screwdrivers but they do not go that small so I am almost back at square one!
Can someone inform me of what I need to order to get the screwdriver that fits?
Warmest regards, Peter
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on September 25, 2014, 08:57:46 AM
Can someone inform me of what I need to order to get the screwdriver that fits?
A set of small jeweller's screwdrivers (philips head) is what you need. For example:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-part-precision-screwdriver-set-n73kb?gclid=CjwKEAjw-o6hBRDOmsPSjqakuzYSJADR2V3S-Fnj5OX90zibnCEi1Kygg_NsuCmTvmet2DTB6rbt9xoCVd7w_wcB (http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-part-precision-screwdriver-set-n73kb?gclid=CjwKEAjw-o6hBRDOmsPSjqakuzYSJADR2V3S-Fnj5OX90zibnCEi1Kygg_NsuCmTvmet2DTB6rbt9xoCVd7w_wcB)
though there are many other sets similar. Infinitely useful for a variety of things, so worth having anyway.
HTH,
Alan
Dr Al beat me to it!
Always worth investing in a quality set of jeweller's. :thumbsup:
Dave G
Try your local market. I picked up a set of jewelers screwdrivers, philips head, flat head and hex, about a dozen in all for £1 and have often seen the sets about since. May not be top quality, but with screws this small you don't need to use much force so I find them fit for purpose.
Quote from: Dr Al on September 25, 2014, 09:01:10 AM
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on September 25, 2014, 08:57:46 AM
Can someone inform me of what I need to order to get the screwdriver that fits?
A set of small jeweller's screwdrivers (philips head) is what you need. For example:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-part-precision-screwdriver-set-n73kb?gclid=CjwKEAjw-o6hBRDOmsPSjqakuzYSJADR2V3S-Fnj5OX90zibnCEi1Kygg_NsuCmTvmet2DTB6rbt9xoCVd7w_wcB (http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-part-precision-screwdriver-set-n73kb?gclid=CjwKEAjw-o6hBRDOmsPSjqakuzYSJADR2V3S-Fnj5OX90zibnCEi1Kygg_NsuCmTvmet2DTB6rbt9xoCVd7w_wcB)
though there are many other sets similar. Infinitely useful for a variety of things, so worth having anyway.
HTH,
Alan
Alan, thankyou VERY much.
I have ordered a set and hopefully my hands will be steady enough to attempt a replacement!
(Any ideas on where all the other little bits in the bag fit?)
Warmest regards, Peter.
(Any ideas on where all the other little bits in the bag fit?)
Warmest regards, Peter.
[/quote]
Can you take some pics? Try to make them look big & surely someone will tell you where to stick them. (in the nicest possible way)
Quote from: steve836 on September 25, 2014, 10:15:57 AM
(Any ideas on where all the other little bits in the bag fit?)
Warmest regards, Peter.
Can you take some pics? Try to make them look big & surely someone will tell you where to stick them. (in the nicest possible way)
[/quote]
A new thread has been started in the Locomotive Surgery with pictures!
Regards, Peter.
OK Everyone!
Panic ye not!
Locomotive up and running without any hesitation apart from trying to climb over a screwdriver with a little bit of plastic on the end, that some twerp left sticking out across the track!
After several hours (I mean that) I finally put the locomotive together with a new cable betwixt tender and loco and the sun is shining in Bergen! (Norway's wettest town!)
Many thanks for ALL the words of advice and calming notions!
Warmest regards, Peter.
Glad you've sorted your Brit, Peter :thumbsup:
All you need to do now is fix the twerp who left the screwdriver on the line :D
Yeah Peter fix him good==He keeps leaving stuff on my track too!