I spent nearly an hour after fitting the hattons decoder messing about trying to get the loco to run properly. I think it maybe the wheel contacts, I cleaned them and the wheels and was getting reasonable results BUT it still stutters and stops then starts for no reason.I did this video and just as the last coach enters the bridge, the loco stops, judders and starts again, no reason??? Any suggestions please??
To me, that would be typical of dirty track. Even if it looks clean, give it another going over and try again.
Ron - couple of questions what type of motor is in the Jinty and do you know the current draw of the loco ? Can you connect feed wires direct to the decoder input wires or pick ups, and see if runs without issue. How does it run if the loco is turned round and completes the same journey, as its on a curve the pick ups may need adjusting Paul
Hi Paul, can't answer the first part but the loco run's Ok in the other direction on that track?? (All other loco's run OK too). It stutters a bit on the rolling road (if that helps?)I'll try some direct wiring tomorrow. Cheers Ron
Suspect its pickups then, push each axel to the end of its side play, and see if the pick up and wheel remain in contact, may need a little tweaking on the pickups against the wheels. Paul
Hi Ron I had a Bachmann 3F recently that ran OK round curves in one direction but wouldn't go round in the other would stop as soon as it started to curve to the right even on points. As Paul suggested in the post above, pickups, I found the pick up wipers barely touched the backs of the wheels in the center most position off their free play and when across to one side or the other would come out of contact. These models have so much free play the wipers need to be bent out wards. I suspect for speed in the factory that some installers push the wipers in, to make it easier to fit the plate as can often be a bit fiddly if spread the required amount. I removed the base plate and adjusted the outward pressure and refitted it runs perfectly well in both directions round any curves now
Ron, I had a similar issue with my Jinty. After all the usual suspects were eliminated it came down to the track not being perfectly level. The Jinty had pickups on the front and rear axles only, so as it went over the small hump in the track one end lifted up off the track meaning it was no longer making contact and the loco stopped. It's possible you are experiencing something similar. The loco looks to run very smoothly until it stops so I'd say at least one of your pickup sets are good. That's my thoughts.
If non of that works Ron, try a different make of decoder. I have had problems with Hattons own brand decoders not running very well in some locos, but fine in others. I have no idea why Ed
Well, tried a different decoder and no noticeable difference so put the Hattons back.Cleaned the backs of the wheels and adjusted (as best I could!) the contact points. Definitley better than it was, in fact it only played up on one set of points which I have now 'levelled' with the help of my Dremel !! Not the best loco but usable and controllable! Cheers Ron
Thats better news Ron, nothing worse than having a new loco that plays up from the get go . Cheer's, Pete.
Hi Ron, sounds like this was a combination of faults, pickups, B-B and a slightly uneven section of track, which have now been adjusted / Tweaked. If possible, adding a stay alive capacitor will also improve smooth running. Kim
Hi Ron, I've done a few with them either fitted in the coal bunker or painted black on the cab floor, then hidden by the crew. Kim