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Scaletrains Tier 4 running problems?

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KPack:
I used the TCS KA-4 in the past because it was the smallest available.  I picked up a KA-1 and KA-2 to test out.  They are much smaller and have half the capacitance vs the KA-4.  I just installed a KA-2 and so far it works great.  It definitely does not last as long as the KA-4 but more than enough to get me over troublesome track and to make up for the shortcomings of the locomotive.

-Kevin

Coal Valley BNSF:
This is a great place to get answers on this Railpro User Group Forum! Kevin do you have any trouble with Intermountain Tier 4 engines?

KPack:
I don't have any Intermountain locomotives.  The power problem is pretty much ubiquitous however....all locomotives will have power pickup problems at one point or another.  Just install a KA in each locomotive and you'll never have to worry about it again.  It's easier to do with a LM-3S, but can be done with a LM-2S.

So far I have just over half my fleet enhanced with keep-alives.  I'll finish the rest slowly but surely. 

-Kevin

William Brillinger:
Clean wheels and track.

Keep Alives are great, but check the wheels first.
We had a loco at lee's that had a keep alive and it was still losing power. Cleaning the wheels solved the problem.

New information published in MRH suggests using alcohol to clean wheels and track is a poor choice - use Mineral spirits instead. A light application of graphite to the rails in trouble spots and the track and wheels will be good to go.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mrhpub.com/2019-05-may/online/index.html?page=9

Once the track and wheels are clean, if you still have the issue, then it's time to look at keep alives.
It's also possible you have a broken or intermittent power lead on one of the trucks.

MtRR75:
When cleaning track, remember that the contact between the wheels and the track is on the inner edge of the top of the rail.  After cleaning the top of the rails, I clean a 2nd time with the applicator tipped slightly downwards (towards the center of the track) to make sure that the inner edges are clean.  When I started doing this, I got fewer problems with locos losing power and stalling.

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