It looks as if I have burnt out the motor on one of my Spectrum 2-10-0’s that didn’t yet have a decoder installed, by leaving it stand on a DCC powered track for what I would guess was about 10 minutes, while I was lining up several decoder equipped loco’s to run.
I haven’t been able to slip the boiler off yet, however there are signs of what appears to be molten plastic on the motor housing-bad news! [:(]
This was a loco that had been running well on DC immediately before we switched over to DCC running and which had been run before on DCC, the same as for two other 2-10-0 and two 2-8-0 Spectrums.
Have others had similar experiences with no-decoder Spectrums or other makes when running on DCC?
I haven’t had any damaged yet, but leaving them sit without moving is the absolute sure way to burn up the motor, every bit of power being dissipated is going out as heat when the motor is getting that square wave without turning. At least when it’s moving there is some cooling, plus some of the energy is being converted into work. The Spectrum steamer motors are kind of small compared to other brands of similar locos, as such they are probably a bit more sensitive to this issue than others - probably take a lot longer than 10 minutes to melt an Athearn ‘tan can’ motor.
I would dend it back to Bachmann and explain exactly what has happened. I sent a 2-8-0 back as they shipped me the wrong part to repair it. As there were no spare parts for that model they replaced the engine for free
What sort of experience have you or others had in sending such items back and forth across that 4,000 mile "undefended " border? What method of shipping is recommended-regular mail insured, Fed Ex or??
[:)]
Severe Time lag! They will promise shipping within 5 working days to the border. Then add another two to three weeks on the return trip. Saying that I’ve been fortunate on a few occasions.
I’ve shipped using Canada Post and it has been reasonable. I also insure it.
Lots of options and they all seem to work out the same in the long run.
After further attempts to remove the boiler/cab structure, having removed every visible screw, wiggling and prying I gave up and took the loco to my LHS. He’s had a quick look without disassembling and believes what I thought was molten plastic is grease from the worm gear drive. He’ll work on it later this week. In the meantime I’m strictly staying away from running no-decoder locos on DCC power.
The news is not good! With me looking over his shoulder, my LHS disassembled the Grizzly Northern’s ex-Erie Russian Decapod down to the motor level today, to reveal black burn marks and loose solder bits in the opening to the armature. A truly toasted motor indeed!
I’m swearing off running no-decoder loco’s on DCC, notwithstanding reassurances that it’s safe, provided you don’t let the loco stand still on a powered track other than for a short time before running. The risk of forgetting while doing something else while the loco sits there sizzling isn’t worth it. In any case I’m about to install decoders in the Grizzly’s 0-8-0 and 3-truck Shay and will do the same with the ex-