Help...Where can I add weight???

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi guys

I have a Atheran GP-9 and I find that It needs some much needed weight the problem Is what would I use and where would this be placed?

Jeremy

Thanks again

2

Jeremy,No problem and very easy to do to boot…I use stick on weights(I use A Lines but any should work) and add these to the INSIDE TOP of the shell…Just be careful not to interfere with the metal contact strip unless you have already hard wired the motor pick up…This will do 2 things.1.It will add the weight you are asking about and 2.It will cut down on the shell chatter which is the most of the Athearn noise.

3

Brakie,

Thanks for the tip. I still have a group of Athearns that I’ve decided to “tune up” and prepare for DCC/Sound. I’m going to use the “Pearl Drops” toothpaste for the trucks in all of my Athearns and I’m dropping “A-Line” motors (Mashima) in two units. I had never considered the body vibrations.

Once I can determine where the speakers for the Soundtraxx sound decoders can be mounted, I’ll add the weights. From my understanding, speakers for Athearns can be mounted on the ceiling of the body shells. It’s just a matter of cutting out the dummy radiator fans and reinstalling “see through” fans from Details West or Cannon and Company.

Thanks again! [:D][8D][8)][;)][(-D][swg][tup]

4

Can these weights be purchased at a store like Grand and Toy or a office supply store.

Jeremy

5

You can use just about any kind of lead weight–hobby shops sell them, but you can use fishing weights or shotgun shot or whatever.

6

The easiest, but not least expensive way, is to get a package of the A-Line weights. They come pre cut in 1/4 oz squares with tape on the back alreay. Just break off the amount of weight you want to add, peel and stick. They will fit inside the top of an Athearn GP shell. Getting rid of the metal strip is a good idea anyway for better contact, even if you are not going DCC right now.

7

Don’t forget the weights that are used for drapery. Sometimes one sees the weights used to balance tires by the side of the road
And remember to wash your hands thoroughly after touching anything with lead in it. When I install lead weights I usually cover them with a heavy coat of acrylic paints as well just to minimize the chance of contact.
Dave Nelson

8

Interesting - My Athearn GP60 and F7 are my two quietest Athearn locos, perhaps this is why - GP60 has a steel weight in the dynamic brake housing, F7 has a hefty diecast weight over the motor. I’ll have to try adding extra ballast to my other locos.

Another Athearn-related problem: I have two or three locos that vibrate a lot when running - this is obviously the cause of the noise and is related to the motor speed. I’ve looked for flash on driveshafts and other parts, and tried the “toothpaste” trick to quieten the gears down (it does work, they are now a fair bit quieter), but they’re still a bit rough due to this vibration - anyone got any ideas? I’m wondering if the motor and/or driveshafts may not be balanced as this tends to cause similar problems in full-size vehicles.