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Post by arsenix2001 on Feb 14, 2022 10:28:20 GMT -5
I finally got around to cleaning up the track and test ran a few locos. I still have more cleaning to do and want to test track voltage, but it just seemed like the 2 SD70Ms were running slower than I remember even at full throttle. I dont think it was the controller as it was the case on two separate main lines with an RC 02 and RC 03. Is there any maintenance I should do on the locos after sitting boxed for 2.5 years? They were stored in a garage in thier cases. Wondering if grease has hardened or something. Would running them for a while, re break them in?
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Post by Kez on Feb 14, 2022 10:43:55 GMT -5
Just run them awhile, they should be fine. Remember to run in both directions, and make sure trucks are being exercised in all rotational directions.
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Post by BAZman on Feb 14, 2022 13:53:59 GMT -5
The AZL products don’t have the serious issues that ‘early’ märklin locos had (they changed their lubricants to non-hydrocarbon many years ago). The Lithium based lubes that AZL used (3 manufacturers) is stable for many years. The issue is that the volume of the lubricants, different by loco manufacturers, seemingly oil (thin, less viscous) to some with overwhelming thicker lubes.
As Kez says, run them for a wile, forward and backwards (and, if an oval layout, reverse the physical loco [pick it up and turn it around ] so the trucks angle are different).
Run at ‘half speed’. Don’t force them to run with full power!
Turn the loco over. It the gears have ‘some’ sheen, this indicates there is sufficient lube. If there appears to be none (the gears have a ‘matte’ dull finish) 1 drop should do. (Most lubricant suppliers have tubes designed for HO and durability, too much for Z (IMHO). If you see a lot of grease (some loco series had a crazy amount of grease), you should disassemble, clear out the grease and re-lube.
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Post by shamoo737 on Feb 14, 2022 14:46:54 GMT -5
Check if you have the first release of the SD70M. They been known to be really slow runner. Sometimes we forget which run well.
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Post by arsenix2001 on Feb 14, 2022 17:20:12 GMT -5
Great thanks guys, I'm going to voltage test this evening and give the track one more cleaning and try them out. Still have alot of scenery work to do on the new new 3'x 3' section, so I will probably attempt to start that task next and wait to unpack all the locos and rolling stock until the static grass is down.
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