I’m currently running several DCC N gauge locomotives and I’m have trouble pulling cars up some grades. I think I want to try Bullfrog Snot on my locomotives but I’m not sure how to apply it, being that I’m running DCC only. The instructions say let the wheels free spin and apply it evenly, but without my locos under DC power, how do I do this??
Thanks-Tim
http://www.bullfrogsnot.com/howtoinstall.asp
Do not put BS on drivers with power pickups, BS is an insulator.
OK, so what you’re saying is that BS won’t work on DCC engines??? Any idea how to improve traction. I have a small layout. I’ve cleaned the tracks well and soldered every joiner along the routes so the slippage is simply due to the trains and the inclines. Based on reviews, BS seemed like the best product.
Yes, it is. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice the electrical “pick-up” for the “put down” of extra tractive effort. How that works depends, but several narrowgauge folks have used it on drivers with power pickup with success, as they have plenty of contact. I don’t have the need, so just reporting others success after some trial and error. N scale drivers are pretty small, but only a little smaller than HOn3 in some cases.
You have to turn the locomotive upside down to apply bullfrog snot.
You connect clip leads from the track to some non-moving part of the electrical system, usually on the side frames of the trucks. Turn on the locomotive with the DCC just the same as if you were running the locomotive on the railroad.
Apply snot with a toothpick as per instructions. Wheels with snot will not reliably pick up power. you need as much traction as possible, and you need as much electrical pick-up as possible. You will have to see what will work. Fortunately it is easy enough to remove the snot.
LION runs SUBWAY TRAINS in six cars sets connected with drawbars and interconnected with power for traction and lighting. Him has a lot of good things to say about 48 wheel pickup. You cannot do this with a little engine.
Oh well… try what works best for you.
ROAR
LION you are so right. The only issue I have had is that the engine needs to be run long enough for the BS to spread and dry out. If it isn’t, I have found that it may clump and cause the engine to bump along the track. Also, it does wear off over time so it will need to be reapplied depending on how often a given loco Is used.
I have used it many times on HO or N, steam and diesel with good results. I run the engine upside down and use a small brush on the wheel. You can thin it out with water and i have found this very easy. I also apply several coats letting it dry some in between coats. This keeps it from clumping and nice and even. Then let dry good overnight.
On some engines i then add additional electrical pick-up to make up for the wheel or wheels with the Snot.
Bob
My son has the mth HO scale j 611 & he said its a slippery engine that cant pull. So hes looking into bullfrog snot also
Easiest way to add more pickup to steam locos is to make sure the tender picks up from both rails. Some of the newer models do, but most don’t so adding them so they pickup from the other rail, too, is the low-hanging fruit of added wipers,