Keep Alive SD70ACe?

Randy Clark Jan 15, 2020

  1. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Has anyone found a capacitor to act as a keep alive for the Broadway Limited SD70ACe? I have one or 2 spots on the layout where one of my units stumbles and resets the decoder and sound. I don't want to start grinding on the frame to make room but need to know what might fit or has anybody been successful?

    I like the general performance and sound but that occasional stumbling is aggrevating. And yes I have taken the trucks apart andd cleaned wheels, "wheel bearing side plates", and wipers riding on the flat plates with alcohol and track cleaners. Nothing seems to make a great difference.

    Help anyone!
     
  2. grymg

    grymg TrainBoard Member

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    Have you taken a close look at the portions of track where it stumbles? I have found at some point alcohol doesn't do anything. You have to physically scrape off the corrosion/film with your fingernail or something sharper to get the conductivity back up to normal.
     
  3. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    My main spot is a double KATO double crossover.

    I need to scrub it with a bright boy and possible turn the loco over and hit the wheels with an abrasive but I really hate to risk scratching the treads.
     
  4. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    Almost every other locomotive on my layout runs flawlessly. Kato, Scale Trains, Intermountain, Athearn. I do have a couple short wheelbase Atlas switchers with sound that can be finicky.
     
  5. wmcbride

    wmcbride TrainBoard Member

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    Go to Home Depot etc. and try CRC Contact Cleaner before abrasives. I spray this on a paper towel and rub it on the top of the rails. I also use it in the Woodland Scenics locomotive wheel cleaner and on those WS pads that clip on freight car trucks to clean the rails.
     
    MK likes this.
  6. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    Have you tried taking apart the trucks and giving them a good cleaning ? Some BLI locos tend to have contact problems until they get a good cleaning .
     
  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Randy, might be worth reaching out to BLI and see if they know what brand decoder and what keep alive capacitor will work with it. If not, maybe the decoder manufacturer would know. Just a thought. Good luck.
     
  8. Randy Clark

    Randy Clark TrainBoard Member

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    I pulled the trucks apart and gave all the electrical contacts a good cleaning. Right now both SD70 Units are running fine. I was surprised at the thru holes where the axle ends ride. Pointed axles riding in cups worked perfectly fine for decades. Why use a different design.
     
    catfan likes this.

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