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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 17:02:58 GMT -5
I was so pleased with my first GP38-2 that I decided to get another one. I realised that I might be opening myself up for what has happened. Now that I have two I can confirm that there is a HUGE difference in speed for a given voltage. the second one is much faster. I did the 5 volt 15 min break in for the new one in each direction. Here are my numbers:
Second GP38-2 (CN)
5.2 volts 48.5 mph backwards, 45.8 mph forwards
7.20 volts 72 mph backwards, 69 mph forwards
First GP38-2 (Union Pacific)
5.2 volts does not move
7.20 volts 17 mph backwards, 24 mph forwards
9.9 volts 50 mph forwards
Having said that they are both really smooth. I think my first one has slowed down since I first got it.
So what should I do? I know someone else here said he had 3 and one was much slower than the other two. he sent it back and they said it was within specifications?
What about running them together???
Thanks
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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 17:10:23 GMT -5
Having said that they are both really really smooth..just really different.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 22, 2014 18:00:21 GMT -5
Hi Grahame,
Suggest you contact Rob Kluz on ztrack@aol.com and send them BOTH back to him.
Looks like you have two that are out of spec: one too fast, the other too slow.
It does happen. Could be any number of causes. Rob can get to the bottom of it quickly.
Best,
-Rob(A)
AZL
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Post by markm on Jul 22, 2014 18:02:02 GMT -5
Graham, Additional: Since Robert beat me to the punch, I can't dispute his advise.  If you can insert an amp meter in the power line, I typically see 30mA at 5V. The GP38-2 #1 should really be doing better. On mine a 15-20 MPH scale is around 3VDC. There still seems to be something not right on this unit. The forward/ reverse variation suggests some issue with the gears. Loco #2 data looks like my three units. If you want to run the two together, I'd suggest the faster loco first. Mark |
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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 18:17:09 GMT -5
Hi Grahame, Suggest you contact Rob Kluz on ztrack@aol.com and send them BOTH back to him. Looks like you have two that are out of spec: one too fast, the other too slow. It does happen. Could be any number of causes. Rob can get to the bottom of it quickly. Best, -Rob(A) AZL Thanks for the reply. I am more concerned about the slow one to be honest. Can you comment on it slowing down from new? Is it possible that it needs to be taken apart and a bit of lubrication applied. This worked wonders on my MTL F7 which barely moved before I did this. |
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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 18:54:37 GMT -5
OK I removed the body of my GP38-2 #1 to apply a tiny needle point of oil to the worm gear and found immediately, before doing anything that it ran MUCH faster with the body removed.
7.2 volts 60 mph
Now that's about right isn't it?
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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 19:05:00 GMT -5
Body back on GP38-2 #1 and it's still doing 61 mph at 7.2 volts, I think it's OK now. I wouldn't pretend to know how that happened, perhaps an AZL person could explain but it seems ok now. Perhaps something was rubbing very slightly and now it's not???    |
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Post by grahame on Jul 22, 2014 22:28:14 GMT -5
Hi Markm, My current numbers for GP38-1 #1 are now right in line with your graph:
34 mph @ 5.2 volts
60 mpg @ 7.2 volts
I will keep checking it but it seems OK now.
Perhaps #2 is a bit fast but that's OK..I can live with that, can always turns it down a bit.
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Post by markm on Jul 22, 2014 23:18:21 GMT -5
Graham,
Glad to read you got #1 working well. It's surprising how many times I've read your story: take the shell off it works, put it back on and the loco still works. I think the manufacturers install a "go slow" gas that needs to be let out.
Another data point for you, I found that when pulling 5 of the AZL auto racks, the GPs lose 10-20MPH which to me makes the performance just right for typical operation.
About every 20 hours or so of operation I like to check performance of my locos: speed and power consumption. If they're running slow, they're probably dirty and if the power has increased need to check the drive train.
BTW what are you using for your power? The voltage values you mention aren't ones I would expect people to select.
Mark
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Post by grahame on Jul 23, 2014 6:12:46 GMT -5
Marklin 67020 pale grey controller. Seems to run in steps.
Btw..my Marklin BR89 seems to have been lost in the post. 3 1/2 weeks later it still has not arrived in Germany and tracking number is worthless. I am not expecting to ever see that again. Quite an expensive loss really.
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Post by mrja on Jul 23, 2014 10:57:01 GMT -5
Btw..my Marklin BR89 seems to have been lost in the post. 3 1/2 weeks later it still has not arrived in Germany and tracking number is worthless. I am not expecting to ever see that again. Quite an expensive loss really. How did you send it? What carrier and what class of mail? USPS? UPS? FedEx? International Priority? First Class? Parcel Post? |
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Post by grahame on Jul 23, 2014 12:48:14 GMT -5
USPS first class air mail , gets handed on to DHL in Germany. So far German DHL say it has not arrived in country.
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Post by grahame on Jul 24, 2014 6:08:41 GMT -5
Btw..my Marklin BR89 seems to have been lost in the post. 3 1/2 weeks later it still has not arrived in Germany and tracking number is worthless. I am not expecting to ever see that again. Quite an expensive loss really. How did you send it? What carrier and what class of mail? USPS? UPS? FedEx? International Priority? First Class? Parcel Post? Exact wording on receipt is "Germany - First-Class Pkg Int'l Svc" |
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Post by grahame on Jul 24, 2014 6:10:16 GMT -5
Union Pacific running with 10 goods wagons (yes I am a British exPat) is posting 66 mph at 8.2 volts...seems pretty nominal..if a bit unrealistic..lol..
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Post by mrja on Jul 24, 2014 6:19:21 GMT -5
How did you send it? What carrier and what class of mail? USPS? UPS? FedEx? International Priority? First Class? Parcel Post? Exact wording on receipt is "Germany - First-Class Pkg Int'l Svc" You mentioned a "tracking" number. Is it an actual tracking number or the customs' receipt number? |
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