srmi
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by srmi on Nov 27, 2021 23:34:29 GMT -5
I have two AZL SW1500 that both exhibit the same issue. The fuel tank (center box between the trucks) is too low. The fuel tank occasionally drags across the Rokuhan track and the locomotive gets stuck at track joints. There are no issues with AZL's F7.
Any suggestion? Thanks!
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srmi
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by srmi on Nov 29, 2021 16:19:03 GMT -5
Of course, when I remove the plastic tanks, the engine runs perfectly. I will try to modify the tanks so that they do not touch the track.
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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 Nov 29, 2021 18:11:53 GMT -5
Is there any reason why a guy could not sand the bottom of the tank completely off down to the frame, then just put a piece of electrical tape over the frame halves?
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Post by tjdreams on Nov 29, 2021 21:16:24 GMT -5
The plastic Tank halves are only 0.75mm thick and have a .02mm lip that snaps over the chassis in the middle to keep them in place. You could sand the bottom of the tank down a little but it will weaken the catch so you may have to glue the halves on to the chassis.
But before you do that I suggest double checking all your track joints to make sure they are connected properly and that the top of each rails is even with the top of the rail that its connected to.
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Post by stevew on Nov 30, 2021 10:23:15 GMT -5
I just got my SP SW1500. I have a test loop of Rokuhan track that is not tacked down yet. I can see where, over track joints that are buckled upward slightly, that the fuel tank comes very close to the top of the rail, but so far it has not hung up on any joints.
The SW1500 is just amazing by the way! Can't wait to get another one (or more).
Steve W
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srmi
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by srmi on Nov 30, 2021 13:04:23 GMT -5
Is there any reason why a guy could not sand the bottom of the tank completely off down to the frame, then just put a piece of electrical tape over the frame halves? I have removed the two plastic parts, and it works fine and looks, ahem, interesting. I could paint the frame black or cut off the bottom of the tank and then glue the visible sides on the frame.
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srmi
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by srmi on Nov 30, 2021 13:10:21 GMT -5
The plastic Tank halves are only 0.75mm thick and have a .02mm lip that snaps over the chassis in the middle to keep them in place. You could sand the bottom of the tank down a little but it will weaken the catch so you may have to glue the halves on to the chassis. But before you do that I suggest double checking all your track joints to make sure they are connected properly and that the top of each rails is even with the top of the rail that its connected to. Thank you for the suggestion; I will try it. The testing loop is short, the track is appropriately connected, but there are very slight tolerances in two places in the loop. In one direction, the engine gets stuck; in the other direction, it will slow down as the tank drags on tracks. IMO, there is a manufacturing issue.
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Post by BAZman on Nov 30, 2021 15:16:52 GMT -5
If it has this problem with just track (no Turnout/Switch or Crossing), then it should NOT be able to run over the Turnout/Switch or Crossing as there are a lot of vertical changes in track and frog heights. Most of the road-bed track do not lay flat, especially the curves! Frank @ ZscaleHobo sells tiny screws to help but the holes are not at the ends, where it would help better.
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Post by rkpasqual on Dec 13, 2021 1:22:15 GMT -5
The plastic Tank halves are only 0.75mm thick and have a .02mm lip that snaps over the chassis in the middle to keep them in place. You could sand the bottom of the tank down a little but it will weaken the catch so you may have to glue the halves on to the chassis. But before you do that I suggest double checking all your track joints to make sure they are connected properly and that the top of each rails is even with the top of the rail that its connected to. Thank you for the suggestion; I will try it. The testing loop is short, the track is appropriately connected, but there are very slight tolerances in two places in the loop. In one direction, the engine gets stuck; in the other direction, it will slow down as the tank drags on tracks. IMO, there is a manufacturing issue.
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Post by rkpasqual on Dec 13, 2021 1:31:23 GMT -5
I have exactly the same problem with a AZL Switcher getting stuck in multiple locations on the Rokuhan , but with four other locomotives there is no issue whatsoever running on the same Rokuhan track. Only the AZL SW1500 is getting stuck on the fuel tank. I really love the design and appreciate the suggestions for rectifying the problem but I would hate to have to modify the brand new ACL Switcher in order to get it to work.
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Post by ztrack on Dec 13, 2021 8:42:27 GMT -5
Is your Rokuhan track secured down or sitting freely? If the track is not secured down, it can bow slightly at the joints. I have a curve that is not secure, and I have noticed the track lift in this spot when testing running locomotives. It has not stopped the SW1500s, but just calling it out.
We do test run all SW1500s before shipping. The track is Rokuhan with multiple turnouts, and a 90 degree crossing. We don't release any locos unless then can navigate our test track.
Here is a video showing a section of our test running layout. While this video is of car testing, it does show the curves, track, turnouts and 90 degree crossing we run locos through. In the far back, you can actually see the unsecured curved track and the slight lift in the middle.
Rob
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Post by Commodore on Dec 13, 2021 9:43:09 GMT -5
I have exactly the same problem with a AZL Switcher getting stuck in multiple locations on the Rokuhan , but with four other locomotives there is no issue whatsoever running on the same Rokuhan track. Only the AZL SW1500 is getting stuck on the fuel tank. I really love the design and appreciate the suggestions for rectifying the problem but I would hate to have to modify the brand new ACL Switcher in order to get it to work. The closer to scale, the better the chance of track interference...
IMHO: Your other (better) choice is to get better (gauge) track!
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Post by neverland on Dec 13, 2021 12:02:17 GMT -5
Just remember, any modifications you make will devalue the loco if & when you may decide to sell it.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 13, 2021 14:03:22 GMT -5
Hi folks,
A few things about the SW1500 series of switchers:
1) the fuel tank does sit lower than our previous products. This is prototypical. It is not so low that it will prevent excellent operations. 2) we have seen no issues between the various track manufacturers and tested it with all known makers of z scale track 3) we investigated the rokuhan concerns and found that our SW1500 could work on vertical track joints up to 3 degrees. Real world: take two 220mm straight sections and put a pencil under each end of one of the track pieces. Let the other track piece form a ramp. The middle where they join is the maximum angle the SW1500 could go over without getting hung up. I believe that this is LESS THAN what the rokuhan over and under track kit requires
Summary: 1) rokuhan is no different than other track with SW1500 2) SW1500 does sit lower than other AZL locos 3) good track work will always result in better performance
Hope that helps RobA
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Post by Commodore on Dec 13, 2021 15:40:51 GMT -5
Thank you, again, for #3
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