RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion

How-come dept

(1/2) > >>

Dean:
90% of my locomotive fleet are Stewart/Kato F units. All the RailPro engines are these F units. I run the DCC engines without any problems. When I run the RailPro engines, at least a couple times the engines stall or stutter. What is irritating is the front trucks might hit a bad spot on the track ( usually switch points ) but the rear trucks are still on good track.
This only happens entering the throat of the switch. The engine should move through the switch without problems. A lot of my turnouts are code 100 Shinohara with powered frogs. Recently I installed some Peco Electrofrog switches. There is no logical reason why the RailPro engines have problems.
What am I missing?

Alan:
Do the RP units ever stall or stutter on straight track? Or does the problem occur only in switches?

If only in switches then I am inclined to think wipers may be at fault.

Is it practical to swap the electronics between a RP unit and a DCC unit to see if the problem follows the electronics? It would be quite a coincidence but it is possible the wipers on the RP units are not picking up from all wheels whereas all the DCC units have good wipers. Swapping electronics would tell you if this is the case or not.

Dean:
Thanks for the suggestions.
The RailPro engines only give me problems in the switches.
The decoders are soldered into the Stewarts. I'll have see if I have a 9 pin plug-in decoder.
Could a small electric spark from the wheels or points disrupt the RailPro decoder?

Alan:

--- Quote ---Could a small electric spark from the wheels or points disrupt the RailPro decoder?
--- End quote ---

Yes. Would be the same with DCC too. A spark would be an indication of either a momentary short circuit -or- temporary loss of wheel to rail contact. My bet is momentary short circuit since loss of wheel contact is unlikely with other wheels picking up power and would make such a small spark it would be hard to see unless the room is dark. A momentary short circuit deprives the loco of power so would explain the stutter.

Your switches are DCC friendly correct? Check the gauge of your wheels. Make sure no wheel flanges are accidentally making contact on the backside with rail of opposite polarity.

Dean:
I haven't abandoned the trouble shooting. Just can't seem to find the time.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page