I have a Weaver RS-3 that I bought used. As it goes around the track, I noticed that there is a lot of sparking where the center roller meets the track. I understand that there might be some sparking, but what I am seeing seems to be a lot more sparks than is safe. Is a lot of sparking normal? Any sugesstions for reducing the sparking? Additionally the heat sinks on the reverse unit seem to get very hot. Is this normal? Any suggestions to fix this problem? thanks
Sparks occur when contact is broken, re-established, broken, re-established, repeatedly. Are the tracks clean? Are the wheels clean? Is the roller clean? Is the roller worn? Usually a rounded groove slowly wears in, and if there has been a lot of arc seen, this can happen faster, or become badly pitted- Thus even more sparking caused. Is the tension spring holding the roller firmly to the rail?
Excessive current also exacerbates sparking on these. The overly hot heat sink on the reverse unit is somewhat worrisome. As said, dirt is the first look, centre rail, pickup roller...and pickup roller tension. If the springs are weak, more sparking. I use a wire wheel on a Dremel to clean rollers. You would be amazed. Hold the wheel about 45 degrees to the roller, so it does spin, but also scrubs. Lube the roller points lightly when done. If really gunked up, lighter fluid and a q-tip on the roller works. Make sure you don't have carpet fibres jammed in the pin portion of the roller. Dave
Something else I seem to recall- On Lionel diesel units which had the motor on one truck, but no pickup, versus no motor, just the pickup on the other truck, that lighter end seemed to arc more. However, the Weaver unit you have should not be anything like this. Just curious here, which version do you have? The original chain drive style? Or the more recent twin vertical motor?
Hi Boxcab, The Weaver unit I have has the chain link drive. The chain powers one truck then there is a drive shaft running between both trucks to run the other truck.
Thanks for the advice everyone. The rollers do seem to be corroded and pitted but not dirty. The springs seem to be weak as well. I will follow your guys' advice and let you know the results. Any idea though on the heat sink / excessive heat build-up issue though?
There is an outside possibility that calming down the arcing problem, could help. They might be at least vaguely related.
Thank you everyone! I cleaned the rollers and there is now less sparking. I used lighter fluid along with the wire brush. The rollers are pretty shiny now. I guess the hot heat sinks are normal. There are no wires or plastic near them so I guess I will just leave them alone.
Cary, recommend you use the same cleaning technique on the center rails also. Dirt on the center rails will continue to cause arcing, and contaminate the rollers again.
Using a Dremel and wire wheel attachment may take...forever on centre rails. I use a greenie. Scotchbrite pad/cloth. Works very well for centre rail, and even outer. If you run across sticky deposits, then lighter fluid and a rag. Dave
