Hello all I'm finally running some trains (n-scale) with my NCE power cab I have 1 engine (Atlas GP38-2 #40 000 632 with a factory installed NCE decoder) that is not running great - stuttering, lights are blinking, etc... I thought it was my layout missing some feeders But then I ran an old Life Like fa1 (equipped a long time ago wit a digitrax decoder - don't know which one though) and it runs SUPER smooth....I could set the speed to 1, and it was still moving very slow, but smooth. Very impressed ! Same thing with a recent Kato P42 equipped with a digitrax sound decoder SDN144K0a. Cannot go down to 1, but other than that, it runs very smooth as well So what should I check on the Atlas? Which CV should be verified/reprogrammed? Or is it simply that this engine and/or decoder are just not great? Should I try to replace the decoder? Thank you
What is the best way to clean wheels: cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol ? I may have to look at the pickup tabs, how they make contact with the decoder.......
I would get a lint free cotton cloth and use 90% alcohol I don't advise to use 70% due to the water and minerals in the bottle this can re gum up the wheels later on. Avoid cotton swabs at any cost the fibers can mess up the gears and hurt the performance. Saturate the cloth and lay it across the track and put one set of the trucks with the cloth under it while both sets of the wheels are on the tracks. Then run it in both direction and repeat with the other set of wheels. You will have to move the cloth over to not to cross contaminate the wheels again and keep the cloth damp with alcohol.
Well, finding 90% alcohol during COVID-19 is kind of mission impossible: went to CVS, Walgreens, Meijer, Kroger....couldn't find any, all empty shelves ! Any other product I could use? By the way, here is the decoder inside the Atlas engine Thanks
I don’t see the motor connections. Bet that the motor tabs are pressing up to the decoder pads on the bottom of the decoder. This is a problematic way to connect the decoder to the motor. I would solder some short jumper from the decoder pads to the motor leads. I am thinking your motor is NOT making a good contact to the decoder.
Hmm? If you have 70 -75% isopropyl alcohol this will work, just be aware or future buildup. I have heard people using Everclear. Yes, the 190 proof! I think it might be illegal in some states and also I hear that it is downgraded as per order of state alcohol limits. As long as it is not below the said 90%. Everclear is also used as a household "food-grade" cleaning and disinfecting alcohol because its fumes/smell is fairly non-toxic, (as opposed to isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, which is "de-natured" and so, toxic to breathe or drink). Also you can use Inox MX3 lubricant or CRC2-26 to clean and protect the track and wheels with. Please don't spray this directly on the locomotive! Do the same method as before by spraying it on a lint free cotton cloth to clean the wheels and wiping down the track. Using the old abrasive will contribute to build up and cause more problems than solving them. Here's some videos to explain the reason not to use lower grade alcohol and the common track cleaners. The object is to have clean wheels and track without buildup caused by petroleum based cleaners. Plus to provide a excelent source of electricity to the locomotive without disruption.
