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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2021 15:58:33 GMT -5
For myself I was for a while interested in buying the F7 in the NYC coulour scheme (different from AZL's), but at Marsilius, because I am afraid that he would need to modify the axles, my GP9-GP35 had issues on Rokuhan turnouts.
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Post by sjl on Jan 29, 2021 16:23:32 GMT -5
The GP9s and GP35s run better on Rokuhan than the F7s (which I've basically given up on), but I do find that the GP35s in particular trigger the "trouble" light far more often than AZL locos. I clean the trucks frequently – as Rob advised, which does help – but its still an issue, especially if I'm running several MTL locos at one time.
That said, once again there are more road names in my era from MTL – like Penn Central, Rock Island, and Boston & Maine – so its a tradeoff.
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Post by zscalehobo on Jan 29, 2021 18:53:34 GMT -5
And lookie there ... 8 new Z scale items for February...
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Post by BAZman on Jan 29, 2021 19:55:09 GMT -5
Its a bit tricky when you look on their site. While these new 'Sweet Liquid' Series can be found, it is not under pre-orders, only Series. Sometimes you have to search.
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 29, 2021 21:13:00 GMT -5
For myself I was for a while interested in buying the F7 in the NYC coulour scheme (different from AZL's), but at Marsilius, because I am afraid that he would need to modify the axles, my GP9-GP35 had issues on Rokuhan turnouts. I feel your pain .My SD 40 quits running on the switch’s too. But I have pretty well run all my MTL loco’s on MTL track with modified MRC power pack with no issues. Knock on wood. But also on Rokuhan track a few times .
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Post by BAZman on Jan 29, 2021 21:49:20 GMT -5
This is getting off topic.
SIJ: the 'Trouble Light' is based on Current (Amperes or 'A'). The MTL F7's (only) use a permanent magnet motor, like märklin. However, there is a LOT more friction in the trucks than märklin's. The Current can be 100-250 mA (o.1-o.25 A) Therefore, a higher current than märklin and even more (much more) than AZL's Coreless motors (or modern 'Can' motors like Rokuhan). It is not about cleaning your wheels, you need a Power Pack other than Rokuhan, like a märklin or MRC. The hand-held type can somewhat deliver that current but it is a gamble.
As for stalling over the turnouts (Switch), there are a couple of issues. The Rokuhan turnouts have points and that go down below track/Frog levels. The MTL and AZL trucks have plastic 'bottom's that (theoretically) are designed so that the worst upward wheel movement is still below that flat surface, which they are. However, that is 'flat'-same-plane line. If the wheel(s) go lower than than line, like the Rokuhan points, then the bottom of the plastic will rub on the Frog. The MTL SD40 has had this issue as some Plows from all manufactures, just being a tiny bit too low. A swipe of a file or sand stick fixes but the SD40 bottom is difficult. If you sand it (once you determine it is the TRUE, ACTUAL issue, as much as you try to remove surface, it will be come rough and still potentially rub the track.
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Post by Commodore on Jan 29, 2021 21:53:30 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff!
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Post by Commodore on Jan 29, 2021 21:57:16 GMT -5
Its a bit tricky when you look on their site. While these new 'Sweet Liquid' Series can be found, it is not under pre-orders, only Series. Sometimes you have to search. PS: I've told them about the clunky website. You can’t even order from it using a Safari web browser ... they’re giving up on all Apple users. BTW: I know some heavy hitters that only use Apple....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2021 0:42:27 GMT -5
Thanks BAZman ... Now I know that I was lucky in not-buying the F7 ! My (homebrew, OPA547 based) power supply is limited to 100 mA, so even in case of a derailment or other short-circuit, the contact springs of the turnouts cannot "melt" as it would happen with some DCC systems : I saw the pictures from another modeller in the past !
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Post by domi on Jan 31, 2021 7:37:22 GMT -5
This is getting off topic. SIJ: the 'Trouble Light' is based on Current (Amperes or 'A'). The MTL F7's (only) use a permanent magnet motor, like märklin. However, there is a LOT more friction in the trucks than märklin's. The Current can be 100-250 mA (o.1-o.25 A) Therefore, a higher current than märklin and even more (much more) than AZL's Coreless motors (or modern 'Can' motors like Rokuhan). It is not about cleaning your wheels, you need a Power Pack other than Rokuhan, like a märklin or MRC. The hand-held type can somewhat deliver that current but it is a gamble. Interresting topic indeed. Speaking of MTL F7, I've started a while ago the process of reviving my old samples that have been lying in their boxes for decades. The first one I picked up, my very first Z scale loco, an used ATSF sample I purchased in 1997, bingo !.It suffered of dried lube syndrom : headlight coming on, and no move. So I disassembled the loco, I cleaned all running gears and moving parts, and lubricated them with Labelle 108 oil. And then I reassembled the loco, adding a 4-piece sample of Glenn Chennier's wheelwipers I recovered after having lost them.. As a conclusion the locomotive runs as it has never done and I'm sure it picks up less current than above specified. studio.youtube.com/video/GQJD1KdRP-w/editNow I just have to find some more Glen Chennier's wheelwipers here or there and give my other units the same treatment.. Dom
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Post by scanrail on Jan 31, 2021 7:59:17 GMT -5
Hi Domi,
Correct Youtube link is:
Greetings, Alex
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Post by domi on Jan 31, 2021 9:49:02 GMT -5
Ooooppsss... Thank you Alex and sorry for the mistake... Dom
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Post by sjl on Jan 31, 2021 11:27:19 GMT -5
My original post was not so much about the F7s – although I did note I had given up on them, and it sounds like these wheel wipers might revive them if I could find some.
My bigger issue is the MTL GP35s, which run fine for stretches, but trigger the "trouble" light seemingly at random (i.e., without any derailment). Cleaning them seems to keep them from drawing too much for a while, but it remains an issue.
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 31, 2021 14:00:58 GMT -5
My original post was not so much about the F7s – although I did note I had given up on them, and it sounds like these wheel wipers might revive them if I could find some. My bigger issue is the MTL GP35s, which run fine for stretches, but trigger the "trouble" light seemingly at random (i.e., without any derailment). Cleaning them seems to keep them from drawing too much for a while, but it remains an issue. sji TJDreams on this forum might have some left . F 7 wipers!
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Post by tjdreams on Jan 31, 2021 14:44:32 GMT -5
What are New people going to think when they read the title of this thread?
This Obviously IS NOT the end of life for MTL-Z scale, We do not need any more false roomers and negative comments about the end of Z-scale.
Can the Orignal Poster or a Moderator Please change the title of this thread to something more positive?
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