My buddy has a D&H Challenger and I have a N&W Y6b. They are not the newest versions of these models and they also are not the old AHM versions with pick-ups in the tenders. To get to the point we have both installed Soundtraxx decoders in them. But since the installation, they make the sound, but only go a couple of feet then stall. Closer inspection shows that we are only getting pick-up on one wheel of each side of the locomotive. It appears the traction tires are raising the middle driver up just enough to avoid good electrical contact. So we apparently are not getting enough power to both the motor and the decoder. Has anyone else had this type of problem? How did you correct it, if you did? Thanks.
A.J. I have to say that the loco's you and your friend has are in fact AHM era Rivarossi! Just the latest AHM upgrade done by Rivarossi! Possibly in the 1980's. Not the older 1970's AHM. However, I will make you aware that the articulated loco's made by Rivarossi were in fact run buy the 2 sets of engines. Each set of engines only picked up electric from one side! NOT all wheel electrical pick up! To this day, the new Rivarossi Allegheny is the same way! The front set picks up the possitive rail, and the rear set of engines picks up the negitive rail. However, I will tell you how to tell what ear these loco's are. Look on the engine bed frames (the part that the drivers are in) and see if the backs of the drivers have metal disks that touch the axles and wheel rim (flange). This is the old 1970's electrical design. IF its not this, then look for 2 or 3 pins that push in and out with the side to side wheel motion that rubs the wheel rim again (flange) they had taken these pins and replaced the metal disks. This electrical design was the 1980's design, (which is still used today). As for the traction bands, check them for oils and or grease! If they raise the wheels off the rail they had gotten in contact with some type of oil and or greae, which made them swell. Which if they were dry and not dry rotted, they would NOT raise the next driver off the rail! To fix this, take some real thinner, like, Testors Air Brush cleaner/thinner, and a Q-tip, and dampen it with thinner and power the wheels and rub the Q-tip with thinner on the traction band lightly! It won't hurt the traction band and will take the swelling out of the band. And if its really dry will also help prevent the traction band from dry rotting! I do this to all my loco's that have the traction bands. It preserves them from dry rot and cracking and then falling off. As for the DCC problem, depending on the motor, it might be drawing alot of power to the DCC chip thats causing it to stall after it runs only so far. Check the motor, I would highly recommend looking to see if the motor is the Rivarossi open can motor. Which is a AHM upgrade, but still a 3 pole armature motor and will NOT handle the 12 volt continuos pulses of electric. If its the concealed can motor likes in the Allegheny or whats called the "Model Expo" era Rivarossi upgrade, these motors were 5 pole scew wound motors, and will handle the 12 volt continuous pulses of electric. If it has the old motor, you will in time burn the armature up in the motor being the DCC load of current to it is to much for the motor to handle. Anyone that has DCC can help you if they have had this trouble. Being I do not run DCC and I won't. I run to many older loco's that won't handle the electric load of DCC.
John, A big thanks for that information. I will check this out. The loco is currently in possession of the guy who put in the decoder for me. Thanks again.
Your welcome A.J. I do alot of work on Rivarossi, custom and repairs so.. I've been around the insides and learned the ups and downs of them, and everything changes from one production era to another so.. Its hard to tell sometimes. Post how it goes! I'd like to hear the outcome of it!
