I'm a relatively new z-scale person, moved over from G when I moved to Manhattan. Enough said. Bought some engines, both AZL and Microtrains. They both run fine on the Microtrains track. But only the AZL's run on my Rokuhan track. I'm using the Double Track Oval Set (#ROK-R062). Different controllers for each too. Microtrain engines – they are all F7s – just sit there. Any ideas why?
Welcome to Trainboard SJL. I have had bad luck with MTL F7's all along, but they at least move, just balky as all getout. That said, have you tried your MTL locos on Rokuhan track but powered by the controller you used on the MTL track? I know the MTL F7's need more current to run.
Thanks! You gave me an idea, and I cranked my Rokuhan controller up to "max." That got some of the F7s working, and I was even able to use somewhat lower power thereafter. But its almost comical to use the F7s with my AZL Mikado, which flys around like a bullet train at the levels needed to get the F7s to even budge.
The MTL F7's use a permanent magnet motor meaning graphite brushes to rotating commutator contacts and, lubricated motor bearings. Besides the much higher power (in terms of Current), there may be extra motor friction and in need of cleaning. However, the Rokuhan is designed for their locomotives which have modern high efficiency motors, such as the AZL's which are MUCH, much lower current (e.g ~.05 Amps versus for >>> .1 Amps [typically 125-200 mA] for the MTL and marklin motors. If you can cobble about 4 AA's and connect them to the track (AFTER disconnecting your Rokuhan controller), both motors should run near as designed. If you have a 5 Volt wall-wart, common for many electronics, that will work too. As a quickie test, a 9 Volt battery works. Just don't run it for a long time, especially if the motor is slower !
