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Post by ztrack on Oct 26, 2021 12:46:41 GMT -5
We have posted a document on instructions for removing the SW1500 shell. I have personally tested and was able to remove the shell successfully. But it take time and patience. The instructions can be downloaded here: www.americanzline.com/docs/AZL-SW1500-Shell-Removal.pdfA big thanks to David Wolf who worked out the process and documented it. Rob
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Post by baumback on Oct 26, 2021 16:42:52 GMT -5
We have posted a document on instructions for removing the SW1500 shell. I have personally tested and was able to remove the shell successfully. But it take time and patience. The instructions can be downloaded here: www.americanzline.com/docs/AZL-SW1500-Shell-Removal.pdfA big thanks to David Wolf who worked out the process and documented it. Rob I would hope that future runs of these locomotives would have the dimple issue resolved. Mark
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Post by BAZman on Oct 26, 2021 18:08:46 GMT -5
Can some one post the bottom view, with trucks off. I received a few SW's and one (of four) trips was not touching the top of the truck pick up. As much as I can see with magnification and good lighting, I'm not positive that I a move (with out taking the shell off). I rather see it naked underneath first. Rob says to just pull them off but I just don't like tearing out trucks when there is a correct way (which unfortunately requires shell removal to allow the chassis to split a bit.
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Post by ztrack on Oct 26, 2021 18:15:13 GMT -5
Jeff I have swapped trucks on the SWs without removing the shell. They pop out quite easily. Just be careful not to bend the contacts as you remove out the trucks. With the trucks out, you can adjust the contact.
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Post by BAZman on Oct 26, 2021 18:32:31 GMT -5
Thanks Rob. I'll give it a careful try but, still will wait for a tear down image (DCC and such) Here is the picture for reference:
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Post by santafesuperchief on Oct 26, 2021 19:33:51 GMT -5
Any chance AZL has considered ordering replacement shells just in case?? No doubt we will have issues with these!!
But these are truly awesome in details as well in running characteristics, awesome job to all involved!!
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Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 26, 2021 22:01:25 GMT -5
I would hope that future runs of these locomotives would have the dimple issue resolved. That makes two of us!
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Post by sjl on Oct 27, 2021 9:26:41 GMT -5
"The following steps should only be attempted by those with advanced skills..." So I will never see the inside of my loco. Hopefully this is not like the GP30, where I have to reseat the board on an hourly basis ...
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Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 27, 2021 18:12:50 GMT -5
"The following steps should only be attempted by those with advanced skills..." So I will never see the inside of my loco. Hopefully this is not like the GP30, where I have to reseat the board on an hourly basis ... The SW1500 circuit board is attached with screws.
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Post by sjl on Oct 27, 2021 18:20:21 GMT -5
"The following steps should only be attempted by those with advanced skills..." So I will never see the inside of my loco. Hopefully this is not like the GP30, where I have to reseat the board on an hourly basis ... The SW1500 circuit board is attached with screws. Wonderful! I will never touch the shell for as long as I live.
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Post by Curn on Oct 27, 2021 22:22:26 GMT -5
Well that wasn’t easy. I managed not to destroy anything. I just removed the plastic fuel tank and held the metal fuel tank frame with one hand and slowly worked the shell off with my other hand. I went slow, walking it a half mm at a time. There really isn’t any good spot to grip the shell to apply any force. Mostly just applied force under the still at the corner between the cab and the hood. I didn’t have the right tool, but similar things I had seemed like they might damage the contact strips, so I just did it bare handed. Managed to knock off a sun shade in the process, but it was an easy fix. The board looks like it could easily be replaced with a DCC one. The cab light board is soldered on. A full replacement would be best. But at least it looks like it won’t get loose and need to be re-seated regularly.
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Post by zscalehobo on Oct 28, 2021 15:07:17 GMT -5
The board looks like it could easily be replaced with a DCC one. The cab light board is soldered on. A full replacement would be best. But at least it looks like it won’t get loose and need to be re-seated regularly. Congrats on a successful surgery - patient appears healthy. Comment: Easily replaced with DCC? Yes, the process to remove the board looks easy but look at that board - flat - dcc boards have some z axis topography. Think "mountains," while the existing board has the topography of Florida. The upper constraint is the underside of the hood on the shell. Gonna be dicey. Alex - work your magic buddy!
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Post by tjdreams on Oct 28, 2021 18:27:48 GMT -5
Frank is right there is no room for components above the board. The clearance is so tight that a single piece of decoder wire laying on top of one of the screws is enough to prevent the shell from fully seating on the chassis. The top of the chassis actually makes contact with the inside of the shell between the two boards. But don't worry their is room to install a decoder. My decoder install writeup for the SW1500 was sent up to Rob, But I'm not sure if it made the cutoff date for the next Z-Track Magazine or not. The average modeler with good soldering skills should have no problem installing a decoder using my instructions. But weather you use my writeup or what ever Alex comes up with the hardest part will be removing the shell with out damaging anything.
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Post by zman on Oct 29, 2021 5:13:33 GMT -5
It is cool seeing someone successfully remove the shell. It is also neat to see what is under the "hood". Tight places!! A definite complement to the skilled labor at the factory. I believe AZL hit a home run with this model and advanced our scale tremendously in quality and detail. Way to go AZL!!!!!
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rray
Fireman
Retired and model railroading till the last train out!
Posts: 87
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Post by rray on Oct 29, 2021 14:22:33 GMT -5
There is way more space than necessary to install a decoder up front, if you cut off the front of the PCB. You could easily fit a Digitrax DZ126, and it's not the smallest decoder available. Geez, the space available is vast! A lighted cab interior and an engineer is also do-able. Too bad NP didn't have any, but they did have SW1200's.
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