I have a couple of MTL F-7s that have the 3-pole motors. Any suggestions for improving the performance? I guess i could buy a couple of the 5-pole versions (before they are NLA) and swap shells. But I was wondering if there is a viable alternative.
Ah - OK - well - just getting into Z (though I have had the F's for 10+ years) I was not aware of that. I assume this will be from MTL? and hopefully there will be a DCS drop in board - since I am nearly starting from scratch - this seems to be the time to go DCC. I have far too much older power in N to do it. I added it up once and it boggled the mind.
http://www.wheelwipers.com/ That is one way to GREATLY improve the performance of your MTL F7's. I depend on mine when I need a solid runner and puller. There's nothing else like them.
I was not aware that Micro-Trains (MTL) F-7s had 3-pole or 5-pole motors. I thought this was limited to Marklin products. I thought all MTL locos used core-less motors. Or... Am I confused?
Don, I dont think there are 5 pole motors from MTL. The only five pole motors are for the Marklin's. The good news is that the next new engine from MTL is going to be the E8. Its going to be dcc ready with drop in decoder available, so it will be easy to convert to dcc. I run strictly dcc, so all my engines are dcc equip.
Hi Don, one of the biggest improvements I found are the wheelwipers by Glen of teetertottertreestuff; web side is currently down. This improves the power pick up very well. Daveid Freehling has shorten a GP35 chasis for some project, so that makes the GP35 chassis work with the F7 shell, but I doubt it's viable.
I beleive the Micro-trains f-7 is a 3 pole and the new GP 35/GP 9/ and the SD 40-2 are all coreless. However that being said my F-7 is a great runner as it is without any mods. I might be the odd ball but I don't think mine has ever stalled?
Alex, the MTL F7 doesnt have coreless motor. It has a older 3 pole motor. Everything after the F7 has the Maxon 8mm motor.
I was at a show a couple of years ago (maybe the WGH show in Sacramento?) and saw a Z-track set up. I noticed the F7's ran a WHOLE bunch better then mine and I beleive the "engineer" said they had 5 pole motors. I got the impression that it was a change in the newer F7s from MTL. I went to the wheelwipers site - but as noted it is down. Hope it doesn't last long. I guess I can email - but I saw on another thread that they offer service - that may be the best bet since my ol' eyes aren't what they used to be and I have difficulty working under a magnifier. Any idea what they charge to tune up a F7?
Don, I believe that was a Marklin F7. On servicing your F7, either Glenn or the Stiskas can help you. So far, I only used the work of the Stiskas. They are expert mechanics. I cant recommend them enough. Their service usually run about $40-S50. I have no knowledge of how much Glenn Charges because Glenn only works on F7s, and I dont own a F7. If you plan to dcc your F7, Glenn is one of the few mechanics that can do it. The motor has to be milled to fit a decoder.
I've recently used some Aero-Locomotive Works "Conducta Lube & Cleaner" ACT-3753 on both my MTL F7's and Marklin locomotives. It really improved their performance and was a cheap and easy way to do it too. It was recommended by my local train shop (Allied Model Trains), but you can check them out at www.aerocarlubricants.com. Bill Mock
I don't think so - As I recall, they were WP units like I have - unless they were MTL shells on Marklin mechanisms - or repainted - but I don't think that was the case. I will contact wheel wipers as I guess he does DCC installs too.... Now that MTL FINALLY came out with WP B units I have a ABBA set and want to get them up and running as good as possible. Then again - maybe I should just wait for MTL to come out with F3's and swap shells if they will fit. Any clue as to what the ETA is for those???
Don, There is no real time frame for an F3 release. It is on the MT "maybe someday" list. As for the MT F7s, they have always used the same motor. From the factory I have had some that run great and some that didn't. I have installed wheel wipers on some of the ones that didn't run so well, and their performance has improved greatly. The motor generally isn't the problem with these locs. The electrical pick-up system can be flakey, though, and, sometimes the internals can get a bit out of wack and cause more problems. I have also had some that the brush springs went bad and wouldn't maintain brush contact with the commutator. You can buy replacement brush sets for the F7. I think Z Scale Monster carries them. Dan S.
Don, Yeah I was just hoping for a F3, sorry for the confusion. My MT F7s have wheels wipers and run pretty good. I didn't know they changed motors and have no idea which motors I have in mine.
I don't believe there was a change in the poles in our F7...but it may have happened before I was there. Pick up is the best tune up for those bad boys. As for modified gp chassis for the 7...done that and it's easy if you do what Dave did. Nice not to have an F7 that doesn't sound like a coffee grinder though! Joe MTL
I couldn't find the thread on the F7 conversion, but try these: S2 switcher - TrainBoard.com S2 switcher - Page 4 - TrainBoard.com and look for Dave's posts.
don, you don't want to mess with it. if you are looking for help with installling the wipers then the way i shortened the GP mechanism will give you night sweats. what you see in the S2 conversion (shortening the frame) you would only need to do on one end for the F7 (and not that much). we are talking about taking 2 scale feet away to get the truck spacing (center to center) down to 30' (Z scale feet). any of this means opening up the mechansim and taking out motors, gears, etc, and getting it all back together correctly. while it's relatively easy for some to do it's not for others. best case for you, i would say, is tuning up your F7 with its great pulling mechanism. if you want quiet and slow you could put a marlkin F7 shell on an MTL GP mechanism (with some lead added to hold the shell on snugly). i did all this stuff cause i link to tinker (can't resist) and i'm very near-sighted so it's comfortable for me to work with tiny pieces close up. if you feel you're really missing out about this, PM (personal message) me and we can talk about getting you fixed up one way or another. i don't have a lot of time right now, but i don't want you to be frustrated and not enjoying your locomotives. so at least we could talk about it. ok? dave f.
