I have one of those Con-Cor SW 1200 powered cows, (I know, I know) I have tried everything I can to improve the electrical pick-up, (it keeps jumping and skipping...etc.) So far, the best remedy is to keep the wheels clean, and put a drop of WD-40 where the trucks contact the frame. (improves contact) Is that the problem? (truck frame contact) or is it wheel to copper to truck contact? Am I the only one with electrical problems? ------------------ espee2 Home: www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
Well-here is what you may not want to here, but is the route that a freind of mine took, just replace the trucks! He didn't have the exact same problem as you, but after sitting in a box for 8 years (He aquired it as a prize at a show) it wasn't runnin great Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com
Not sure if it's your problem but, Con-Cor has a split frame as electrical pickup. On curves the wheels cross over and touch the opposite under frame. C trucks the worst. I now install strips of electrical tape on under frame as soon as I take it out of the box. Opposite wheel to frame is a instant short. ..Eddie ------------------ Eddie Delozier PRR N-scale deloziers.com eddelozier@yahoo.com
Thanks Eddie, but I'm not sure if that is my problem.(?) I have the newer version ('98) it does have a split frame chassie (is that what you mean?) or are those trucks split too? It has little grabber tabs to hook into the frame, the frame then sits down onto the top of the truck (frame?) it seems loose, if you rock the engine back and forth, the frame will lose contact with those truck frames...(?)... I don't think it's shorting because my meter doesn't jump or move, and all other locos in the same block keep moving smoothly./.lights don't flick. where would I get new trucks that fit? ------------------ espee2 Home: www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale [This message has been edited by espee2 (edited 07 June 2000).]
I have both versions new and old. The older one ran great for about 3-5 years but it finally began to wear a hole in the frame where the trucks made contact. I soldered the hole closed and sanded it smooth and it ran fairly well but never the same. The new one just plain never ran well. It's kind of nice to know it just wasn't my bad luck. I really don't know how to fix the problem. Now that I have converted my layout to DCC I haven't ran the SW-1200's for some time since I haven't tackled the job of installing a decoder in the small space. I may use the calf for the decoder but I am not sure yet. Has anyone tried this? Thanks and good luck, Bryan
I know of the truck rocking problem on the truck to frame pickups. Even uneven track work will cause a problem. I have two S2 switchers made by Arnold which have different pickup arangement. But I have a SW 1200 from "Life-Like" which has a truck to spring 'metal strip'(attached at only one end to the frame). The spring forces downward to maintain contact on the truck pickup, rather than fixed height on the truck. The spring follows the trucks as you rock them up and down. _____ frame(fixed) / <- / -> ---- trucks (forced spring contact) O O Sorry for poor drawing but it may help get the example across? You may be able to attach a spring metal strip to the truck contact which will force upward on the frame and maintain contact? ..Eddie ------------------ Eddie Delozier PRR N-scale deloziers.com eddelozier@yahoo.com
Thanks guy's I will probably continue to have it on "standby" in my "mainainance" area of my layout... pretty expensive "dummy" loco. I have the Life Like switcher too! it has got_to_be_the best running little loco ever built. (for it's size) smooth running, extriemly slow, it has never jurked or failed once! I only wish I could have gotten one in a "bloody nose" without paying a custom house $125.00 (I would never be happy with how one would look if I painted it myself) I think I have a picture of my Con-Cor sitting in my maintainance yard of my layout... nice pic, it's in my "locomotive roster" area of my Newberg Branch layout site... ------------------ espee2 Home: www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
