RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Loco Stopped. “Motor Over Peak Current”
MtRR75:
BACKGROUND:
(1) Loco is a used BLI 2-8-2. Converted to RailPro by Yankee Dabbler.
(2) Power is RailPro PWR-56. Controller is HC-2. Decoder is LM-3S – Hardwired. Software is current for both.
(3) LM-3S has a “keep-alive” installed with it.
THE SET-UP:
(1) Recently installed Heavy Steam ULT.
(2) Also, changed the Bell file and the Chuff rate, changed the Brightness and Volume settings on some of the files
(3) Tested loco running and all LM Buttons – no problems.
(4) Cleaned wheels and Lubricated loco (Labelle).
(5) To work the lube into the joints, I ran the loco (and a consist of eleven 36 ft. boxcars) around a loop in my layout – at a modest speed (about 20-30 scale MPH).
WHAT HAPPENED
(1) After about 20-30 minutes, the loco suddenly stopped running – on a section of straight track.
(2) The “Info” screen gave me a “Motor Over Peak Current” message.
(3) The chuff sounds stopped, but the “Idle” sounds (from the Heavy Steam ULT file) continued to play.
(4) The headlight stayed on, and I could play other sounds (like Bell or Sanding)
(5) The HC-2 indicator symbol turned Red.
(6) But, the indicator on the PWR-56, remained green.
(7) However, “Motor Current” showed “0%”.
(8) Track Voltage registered at 13.9 V in the Info Screen, and 14.4 V on my digital on my voltmeter applied to the track.
(9) Several other locos were sitting on the track. I tested a couple of them. They ran fine.
THE AFTERMATH
(1) I turned the whole layout off and waited 2 days (my next chance to get back to the train room).
(2) When I turned the layout back on, nothing had changed from 2 days earlier – except that the “headlight” and “engine” buttons were now off. But I could turn then on again.
Any ideas what is going on?
G8B4Life:
There's a few possibilities:
(1) The motor is developing fault
(2) The motor has died
(3) The mechanism has seized/jammed preventing the motor from turning
(4) There is a short between the motor leads.
First thing I'd do take the shell off and see if you can freely turn the mechanism by hand ruling out (3). While the shell is off you can check the motor leads. If both of those are good you can try raising the motor full load current and seeing if it runs. Motors usually draw less power after running in but if a fault is developing it might start drawing more.
- Tim
MtRR75:
Thanks for the ideas. I will report back once I get the time... and when I figure out how to get the shell off.
Doug
carrson:
Hello...I had the same "motor over peak current " issue with an Athearn Loco...it would run for a bit then stop ... took it apart to finally discover that a commutator wire had separated from the com... not saying that is the issue with your loco just what happened to cause mine...
Larry
MtRR75:
--- Quote from: G8B4Life on May 07, 2021, 11:13:49 PM ---There's a few possibilities:
(1) The motor is developing fault
(2) The motor has died
(3) The mechanism has seized/jammed preventing the motor from turning
(4) There is a short between the motor leads.
First thing I'd do take the shell off and see if you can freely turn the mechanism by hand ruling out (3). While the shell is off you can check the motor leads. If both of those are good you can try raising the motor full load current and seeing if it runs. Motors usually draw less power after running in but if a fault is developing it might start drawing more.
- Tim
--- End quote ---
As for (3) mechanism moves easily from motor all the way to the drive wheels.
As for (4) the resistance across the motor leads is about 5 Ohms. Not sure what that means. (I have limited electronics knowledge)
Doug
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