Keith, the Aristo heavyweights have a number of issues, but usually easily solved. Quite often derailments are caused by improperly gauged wheels, but one particular problem is actually too much friction trying to turn the truck. The top of the truck should have a single ridge that rides on the underside of the chassis... try some grease there, it's usually dry and the friction alone can make it derail. See if this page helps: https://elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=451&Itemid=514 Greg
Well, Pulled my GP30 apart. The Bridge Rectifier board is toast! Two of the diodes blew up.Not gonna be quite as bad as I thought! I'd get new, unless there's something else available somewhere, that would work instead.Otherwise, I order another one, when I'm ready to get the PA parts and pieces!
This is what I found, upon pulling the GP30 apart earlier tonight. Not sure if there's something different I can use in place of this or not. Definitely not sure what went wrong! Train was parked, under power, just idling as I took care of business inside briefly. Knew something was wrong as soon as I got to the corner, could smell it from a good 10 feet away!
Not sure if this question should go here, or Electronics..... As you know, I had a bridge rectifier burn up on me when I ran my GP30’s last. So currently, I’m down an engine, due to failed part(s). This is the part that failed: Could smell it, from around the corner of the house, even with a slight breeze!! About 10 feet! Does anyone know of a suitable, readily available replacement for this part?? Source and part numbers appreciated, if available. Also think I’m gonna have to find a source for Airwire/Sound for my USAT PA. Not getting any answer(s) to email sent, asking about the parts I’m gonna need. Or about a replacement for the burned up bridge rectifier. Thanks.
Aftermarket. It's a former Crest Electronics part. Wondering if there's a suitable replacement. From someone like Mouser, DigiKey etc...
Simple, it's a full wave bridge rectifier... and looks like you need a higher current one... is there an electronics store near you? If it has a web interface I'll find the part for you. One thing is that the cause of blowing up the crest unit should be figured out first. I'm trying to find the current rating on it, but it was designed to handle the power to a sound unit, not a loco as far as I can tell. get a 10 amp, 50 volt full wave bridge... here's one on amazon https://www.amazon.com/NTE-Electron...75&sr=8-7&keywords=bridge+rectifier+full+wave Greg
Used to a Radio Shack in town. Or in Boulder, about 10 miles away. Both locations have since been closed. Nothing as far as an electronics store any longer. Don't know if a derailment/short from locomotive not being on the track right has anything to do with the problem(s). Can never get the locomotives on the track right! Think the sliders don't allow me to get trucks on the track straight. Have no trouble with the GP40's. My other 2 GP30's don't have any signs of trouble.
Called in CC info a little earlier. Will have Airwire/Sound for a USA Trains ALCo PA on the way in a couple of days. Store waiting on a new 10 AMP bridge rectifier. Once those arrive, my order will ship out. Have 2 rectifiers ordered. One for the PA, and a replacement for the GP30. Might still have a shot t getting the PA running, before the snow sets in! Or it gets too cold for me to be outside!
Supposed to have gotten 4-8 inches of snow recently. As usual, we got almost nothing! New said we got 2.7”. All in grassy areas! DIA supposedly got 2.5 inches. All week gonna be decent. Dropping to low 60’s by Saturday. Probably won’t have supplies until this time next week, my guess. Be a couple days for new style bridge rectifier to arrive.
Ran the Burlington GP30's yesterday, for a couple hours. Got out and enjoyed the weather while I could! Tonight, was railroad club meeting. The results of the Caboose model contest at Caboose: Second, outta 2 entries! But, I was also the winner of the $10 certificate at the Colorado Railroad Museum! Randomly chosen from those that enter the monthly contest.
Got notice last night, that my belated B-day present is on the way! The parts needed to convert my USA Trains ALCo PA to Airwire/Sound shipped out. Should be here Thursday. MIGHT have it up and running by the end of the weekend, I hope! Then, I can test run my passenger train and see what needs work yet! Cars do NOT like the body mounted couplers of the GP30, or the slightly longer GP40. That’ll cover Airwire/Sound installs, unless someone knows where I can have the LGB Rio Grande #50 modified and converted! Or the BLW Goose #6. And maybe a delayed Birthday dinner, when everyone feels better! Maybe a video of the PA, when done.
Supplies have arrived. Now, I can work on getting the GP30 back in service, as well as start work on getting the PA converted! Just need to figure out HOW to disassemble the thing! That’s gonna have to wait until later though. Check up on left eye, yet again, to see how it’s doing. Will be able to get new glasses, eventually! May spend some time working later. Rain and/or light snow possible today, last I heard. Then back up into the 70’s for a while! Might get chance to test the PA yet, before the snow really decides to fly! Or at least until it gets too cold for me to do anything outside. Do NOT like the cold! Causes too many problems!!
Temperature highs such as yours will not be seen again here until next Spring. It is indoor hobby season now.
Low 40's yesterday with light snow. Mid 40's today, clear but cold. Back to the 60's, and/or 70's over the next week or so. Maybe some decent weather, for testing the PA, when I get it finished. Edit: I stand corrected! Gonna get to almost 60* by Sunday. Dropping to about 39* on Monday. A chance for light snow again. Back to the 60’s for a couple days, then cold again! Noticed today, tree out front has dropped maybe 85%-90% of its leaves! Gotta wiring question on it though. HOW do I wire in the side number board lights? Instructions do NOT explain that! Shows how to wire a Southern PA, with NO side numberboards. However, i have the Rio Grande unit, WITH lighted side numberboards. Don't know if I wire in the existing PCB, or pull it out, and not use the lighted side boards.b
Well......... Got the PA wired, and eventually running!! Same as GP30, the power input, to drop in board was reversed, so it shorted everything! Melted the snot out of the original wiring! Reversed a plug from bridge rectifier, and tried again. Everything worked! Now, to test it outside Sunday sometime! Then to redo the GP30, with new rectifier.
Rewired the PA last night. Did a check, after every connection was made, to make sure I did NOT make a mistake! Turns out, drop in board power plug was wired wrong, AGAIN!! Testing inside was good. Fired up and it came to life!! Worked good inside. So, testing Sunday evening, even though dark, it ran great, both directions around railroad! Rebuilt the GP30 as well. Soldered in the new bridge rectifier. Inside testing works good. Will try testing briefly on Wednesday, after I warms up some! Nothing for the next 2 days! Monday gonna be 34* ish....With rain, frozen rain and possible snow. Last I heard, News in saying abou 0.8" snow. For Colroado, I'll believe it, when I see it!! Wednesday to at least Sunday, back into the mid/upper 60's. More snow, MAYBE, slated for next Monday, so I've heard. But, IF I need to, I can still run in bad weather! Was called Mr Polar Bear, when I went for yet another eye check up on Thursday! But then, I was dressed the part! A custom, hooded, full length natural Blue/White fox coat! So, IF I gotta play, I can! So long as my feet don't get too cold, too fast! LGB Rio Grande #50 and a BLW work Goose #6 remain. And installing extra cooling fans in most locomotives. At least for summer running! Just need to find some SPST slide switches to manually turning fan(s) on/off. Necessary, especially for the GP40's and the K-27. They definitely go into thermal shutdown! can complain too much. So far, things are finally up and running as expected! Promised railroad video, later in the week maybe!
Yep. Power plug wired backwards right outta the box!! This is the SECOND Airwire drop in board that I’ve had this problem with. The first time, was one of the GP30 boards. Just extremely thankful that the factory miswire did NOT destroy any of the electronics!! Wonder if the boards I’ve had problems with were made on a Monday, or a Friday?? Have heard you do NOT buy anything made on those 2 days! Done for awhile. Next ones may require install help. Have a source. Will have to see if he’ll do it, and if so, how much.
