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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 6:54:16 GMT -5
Dear All,
Am I the only person who has really struggled with the material of construction here. I want to say its metal but it appears to have literally no strength at all and crumbles almost like soft wood or plastic. I have one loco which has needed quite a bit of adjustment and maintenance. This material has failed multiple times. AZL did replace the first split chassis (many thanks) but it is of the same very weak and fragile construction and is also failing. What I think is needed is for this split chassis to be remanufactured out of a more durable material. What do people think? I have two of these...are other AZL locos made of this same material? In this photo you can see multiple fractures in the metal as it literally crumbles away.
Thanks
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 6:57:23 GMT -5
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Post by markm on Apr 7, 2019 7:26:05 GMT -5
Graham, The cast zinc frames are used almost universally in model locomotives. The problem isn't with the material but with the manufacturing process: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_pestI don't know what AZL is doing, but I really can't think of an alternative material. If done right, zinc frames will last forever (or at least 50 years for some of my S scale locos). Mark |
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 8:09:44 GMT -5
MarkM
Have you seen this before with AZL chasses? This one seems to be disintrgating completely. Are AZL aware of this problem? I think it is pretty serious...they have been very helpful so far...but I think it needs a more long term solution.
Thanks for you reply,
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 8:23:42 GMT -5
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 8:56:19 GMT -5
My plan to try and salvage this GP38, whose hook and mounting piece for the PCB have completely broken away on one side (for the second time) is to solder two wires from the motor tabs directly to the zinc chassis halves...and forget about the light. Can't see anything else to do..apart from getting a third set of chassis halves which will likely do the same thing again.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Apr 7, 2019 9:07:06 GMT -5
The GP38-2 with the bad metal in the split frame is a known problem. These were made by SDK. The latest run (AFFA made) use a totally different (better) metal that does not crumble over time. We have new GP38-2 chassis frames on order, but with the AFFA shut down in China, that is delayed.
In the meantime we do have chassis from the good AFFA run available. Please contact Rob Kluz at Ztrack for assistance.
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 10:14:15 GMT -5
Many thanks for the update. I already have an email in to Rob about this. he has been most helpful in the past but I did not realize until now how serious it is.
Cheers
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 11:11:16 GMT -5
"The GP38-2 with the bad metal in the split frame is a known problem. These were made by SDK'
Hi Rob, In view of the above is there any type of manufacturer recall on these defective parts?
Thanks,
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Post by markm on Apr 7, 2019 11:23:57 GMT -5
Graham,
I think that RobA has given you all the necessary information. I will add that I haven't seen the problem in any other AZL or MTL product. It doesn't seem to affect all GP38s. I have one that has been running well for years (knock on wood)
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Post by grahame on Apr 7, 2019 11:29:35 GMT -5
OK thanks..perhaps it was one particular production run?
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Post by smr on Apr 7, 2019 15:36:44 GMT -5
OK thanks..perhaps it was one particular production run? I would guess so. The most recent Chessie Systems locos were superb. Everything delivered before 2013 was problematic, I have more than 7 UP and SP locos that crumble when you touch them. I need Rob to send me the new AFFA ones. Best, Sven |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Apr 7, 2019 19:52:54 GMT -5
"The GP38-2 with the bad metal in the split frame is a known problem. These were made by SDK' Hi Rob, In view of the above is there any type of manufacturer recall on these defective parts? Thanks, We continue to fully support the product, but the metal problem presented itself many years after the warranty period ended. No recall, but we do support the product when problems occur. |
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Post by grahame on Apr 10, 2019 5:47:25 GMT -5
Rob K has been most helpful..thanks AZL for really standing behind your products!!!
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