P2K Question

I have a question, probably dumb but I'm going to ask it anyway. I just got a p2k gp30 (CSX) and it runs slow, very slow compared to my atlas locos. The light is bright but it just crawls. I am still using DC. Is this normal for the P2K's or should I contact Like Like?



[ 03 April 2002, 20:14: Message edited by: MetroNorth ]

 

How slow? At a full 12v, how far does it travel over three seconds?

(An HO scale locomotive traveling at a scale 60mph will travel three feet in three seconds)

 

My experience with the P2K GP30s was that they ran slower then Atlas locos, and just about everything else. If i remember right it has something to do with their lighting circuit which makes the starting voltage pretty high. For testing purposes i swapped out a circuit board from an SD60 into the GP30 and it quite noticably improved the speed response compared to the original board.

I figured that whenever i got around to using DCC, i'd just use a speed curve to get the speeds closer matched but just get rid of the circuit board and hardwire directly to the decoder. I'm not sure at what voltage they start moving hardwired without a circuit board on straight dc, but i'm guessing its better.

Benjamin

 

Carful if you are hard wiring the lights to DC to avoid the circut board - those are 1.5 volt bulbs and will blow pretty much right away of you connect them to DC track voltage.

You can swap 12 or 14 v bulbs and wire them for track voltage but you loose the constant brightness.

Of course with DCC it totally different

 

I notice that at the same voltage the lights are much brighter than my atlas, however to get the loco to go at scale 60 mph, I have to throttle up to about 85%, this rate causes my atlas to look like it's in nascar and eventually the cars it's pulling flip on a turn. I guess I have to wait for DCC.

 

I've also heard P2K engines are geared lowere then other engines.

 

That sounds about right - there is nothing wrong with your GP30 mate. I bet it's easier to control at slow speeds too - I 'parked' my P2K SD60 once and came back to it 15 minutes later and it had moved about a foot (and was now fouling the main!) I was confused and then looked closer and it was moving VERY slowly - took several seconds to pass a single tie! The speed was set at 1 not 0 - oops