I bought two Bachmann HO decapods and two 2-8-0’s, mainly based on their appearance. The two Russians have Tsunamis and one 2-8-0 has an older dedicated Soundtraxx.
These locos never ran well at low speeds and couldn’t pull more than 7-8 freight cars without slowing way down. They could pull very little up my 2.5% grades (not slipping). When starting up, they require surges of close to 2 amps to get moving. Yet they would run fast at full throttle “light”.
I took one 2-8-0 apart and spent some time checking for sources of excess friction or binding. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong, just not enough torque to do a decent job.
I decided that these engines probably use cheap 3-pole straight-winding motors, and are incapable of “creeping” and pulling well with the gear ratio used. So my question:
Has anyone gotten better results using a 5-pole motor with slanted windings? Or found a different gearset to use?
I think the 2-8-0 you must be an older Bachmann engine, the newer ones have the 5-pole can motors. I have a few of the Spectrum engines and have no problems with the 2-8-0’s slow responsive engines and they pull adequate on my layout, have only a 1 1/2 grade and no problems.
I am surprised that you mentioned the Decopods are not very good running engines I have a number of these and they are the Spectrum model, do not think Bachmann made any pre Spectrums. While these do not pull as well as the 2-8-0 spectrums they run great at lower speeds and are adequate to my needs.
Appreciate that this doesnt answer your question but I have a couple of Bachmann F` units,nominally identical,one of which would pull the lawnmower round the garden,straight from the box (and is even better with a quarter pound of lead over the power bogie) whilst the other has a fit of the vapours if you show it half a dozen cars on level track-even with the same chunk of lead fitted.
Difficult to advise without knowing the internal layout of the loco,but if it has an open-frame 3 pole driving a worm you might try either a Romford or an old Hornby x04
Hi Don. No, these are Spectrums, bought at dofferent places and times. The Decapods do run better at low speeds, but neither can creep anywhere near as well as a Proto 2000 or my better Broadways. Nor can they pull much.
Since you say the 2-8-0’s already have a 5 pole motor, changing the motor may not help. My understanding is that the latest motors with slanted poles and ceramic magnets might do better, so if I can match the size, I guess I’ll try one.
Sounds like a problem with the mechanisms to me. I haven’t had bad luck with the Spectrum line yet, but I’ve heard Bachmann’s quality control isn’t great (as an example, I’ve heard of hobby shops getting 10 or so, and a couple will be great, a few will be ok, and a few will be awful). I have both the 2-8-0 and the 2-10-0, and their running is absolutely fantastic. They can pull a pretty good load, too.[:D]
Believe it or not, the 2-8-0 uses a 3-pole, un-skewed armature motor made by Mabuchi, and interestingly, it has some of the best slow speed performance of any motors I know of. The 2-10-0, however, does use a Bachmann 5-pole motor.
I have 7 of the Spectrum 2-8-0s and all are good slow-speed runners and excellent pullers. Mine are run on DC, but if I were you, I’d be checking CV settings, as something is clearly amiss. Mine will pull at least 15 or 16 cars up a curving 2.5% grade, and a pair of them will handle a loaded 100 oz. coal train up the same grade.
You indicated that the Spectru 2-8-0’s were in fact a 3 pole motor.
When did Bachmann change over the 2-8-0’s to a 5 pole motor?
I have both the earlier and later versions and to me the running characterisities are the same. The newer units with DCC come with 5 pole motors can motors.