Guys, what is the recommended method for proper break-in period for HO locos[?] Thanks in advance for advice [8D][:)]
Also looking for LHS in the Houston, Tx. area. As I will be traveling there soon. Look forward to your help.[:D]
I run a new loco back and forth at different speeds for 20 minutes or so, and that seems to work. Run it forward at a high speed, reverse at high speed, forward at a slow speed, reverse at a slow speed, … etc…
I run for 10 minutes forward at about 1/2 throttle and 5-10 minutes backward at 1/2 throttle. I wouldn’t run it any faster while breaking it in.
I run them at various speeds forward and backward for about an hour. You don’t have to run them as long as I do but you should stop and start them and run them at different speeds in different directions. That is according to Bachmann’s break-in procedures.
Bill
Generally I do the same, but I’ll go up to about 3/4ths throttle on DC, whatever it takes to get up to about 35-40 scale MPH. 10-15 min each direction. Only after that would I disassemble the engine to weather the body and install a decoder.
That’s basically what I do and everything’s fine. Anything longer and my significant other comes in with a hammer threatening to really break it in and sent it to the RIP track. :^)
I run N scale, but I would say the process would be the same. I run on a continuous loop forward at a scale speed of 45-50 mph for 30 min., then repeat the same backward. This is a great time to work on a small project in the train room while the loco runs.
Ron
It depends, too, on the manufacturer’s engineering and quality control. I have found that BLI steamers take days to break in, using them for 30 minutes here and there. My P2K 0-6-0 seemed fine right out of the box.
I just switch the yard sometimes just randomly moving cars, other times actually some some real switching and classifying, for about an hour or so. I have been known to break in 2 or more at once. Either that or I’ll take it out on the mine run, work the mine, and return. End result = an hour or so various speeds and both directions. I also re-break in any loco that has been in storage for any length of time.
Brad
If there isn’t any manufacturer’s instructions I go with 20-30 minutes in both dirrections at various throttle settings (not at full throttle). BLI/PCM and Bowser require several hours of running for their respective break in periods.
On Life-Like’s cheap engines, they recommend 10 minutes forward and 10 minutes backward, both at half speed. On Bowser’s steam engines, they recommend 20 hours of running to get them broken in. For Bachmann’s Spectrum steam engines, I’ve heard that 20 minutes of running will do it. So it depends on which manufacturer you buy from.[:D]
20 to 30 minutes in forward at half throttle. 20 minutes in reverse at half throttle. 10 minutes forward half throttle with load on, typically 10 cars. Works for me.[:D]
I break in all of my locomotives by letting them run around in a circle at various speeds. Since this proceedure comes to me as second nature when i aquire a new locomotive, i’ve never had the chance not break in a locomotive. So i’m sort of curious, what happens to a locomotive if you DON’T break it in? Does it shorten the life expectency of the motor? Is there really a notice difference in how the locomotive performs if you don’t break it in? I’m not planning to acquire any new locomotives in the foreseeable future so i don’t have the ability to experiment.
Not sure what happens if you don’t break it in, but I expect the motor draws a little more current until it’s broken in. I also think the drivetrain may have just a bit more rolling resistance until the parts are run-in. I don’t suppose it would do any harm not breaking it in, unless the higher current draw exceeds the rating or the motor (and/or decoder, if equipped). If anyone knows something I don’t, I’d like to know, myself.
Brad
I see the BLI steamers do take alot of time to break in properly.
Dont forget to check all parts for lube and grease where needed. Some items dont get enough (Or too much) at the factory.