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Post by boxcarwilly on Aug 19, 2016 12:08:12 GMT -5
I have been investigating the Gaugemaster Electronic Track Cleaner as a possible addition to my track cleaning apparatus, However, in reading the reviews about this device there are still a few unanswered questions. I know some modellers here have these installed on their layouts so perhaps these questions can be answered.
1. How easy are these to install given the instructions that come with the device?
2. Can they be installed anywhere on a layout or do they need to be installed as close to the power supply as possible?
3. Once installed, how large a section of track will these clean?
4. My layout has almost 300 feet of track, (not counting passing and storage tracks) over three separate independent lines, so would a device installed on each line clean the track from start to finish or would I need to install several on one line at various intervals to get the desired results?
5. Can these devices be powered by their own power source completely independent from that which powers the track it's installed on?
6. Are they really as effective as claimed?
7. Can more then one track feed, (main line and passing track) be connected to the output of these devices and still achieve the same results without a significant power drop?
8. Does using these devices cause any long or short term problems to track or engines?
Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
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Post by davestubbs on Aug 19, 2016 13:14:09 GMT -5
Hi Willy
1- very easy to install. I would really recommend getting the wall wart power supply, it is worth the $10-$20. the connections are power in(wall wart or ACC from transformer) connection to rails and connection from controller.
2- can be put anywhere but I would mount close to rail connection.
3- I am running a 3ft x 8ft layout and it works fine. it is looking for no contact of the engine so I would think it can work on a very large layout as it is either on or off.
4- I don't think its a good idea to put more than one on any given circuit. if you have 3 independent lines isolated with 3 controllers would would want 3 gaugemasters. or switch 1 around. Also just a note it will not work with more than 1 engine on the track unless they both stall.
5- yep and worth the money they sell it at ztrack I believe
6- absolutely, cant say enough good things about it.
7- yep, I would install in the wiring before it splits off to different track sections. Mine goes from controller to cleaner than to a bus that breaks out to my yard, inner figure 8 and outer loop.
8- have had mine for 4-5 years and haven't had any problems
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Post by boxcarwilly on Aug 19, 2016 14:23:21 GMT -5
Thanks Dave. This is good info but I am confused about your response to number 4 question. Do you mean that I can only run one engine on any given line while the cleaner is operating? I usually run anywhere from 2 to 5 engines in one consist and sometimes two trains on the longest line at a time. Can you clarify?
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Post by davestubbs on Aug 19, 2016 14:52:56 GMT -5
yes you can run multiple trains on the same circuit but the cleaner only really works with one engine. when the engine stalls the cleaner sends a voltage (I think, could be current) that makes a spark that "destroys" the dirt or grime. When you run more than one engine all the engines would need to stall to trigger the cleaner to spark. on that note the type of engine you use as your cleaner engine can effect things. the more wheels with power pick up the more tolerant (and less likely) it will stall and trigger the cleaner. on the other hand a engine with only 2 axels per truck and 1 having a traction tyre is very likely to stall on dirty track and will clean it much better. hope I didn't make it more confusing. if you want I can PM you my phone number and we can talk about it.
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Post by markm on Aug 19, 2016 16:18:08 GMT -5
Dave,
I don't have one of the units, but I've been discussing it with a number of people. If we accept the manufacturer's instructions that the unit detects resistance above a preset level, a sudden drop in current, the current doesn't need to go to zero. This suggests that it may trigger if a single unit in a combine loses power.
May I suggest an experiment of running a 2 unit consist with traction tires across insulated rail joiners and see if it triggers.
Mark
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Post by boxcarwilly on Aug 19, 2016 16:19:21 GMT -5
So let me see if I understand what you're saying here. If I use one engine on the line with the cleaner and it stalls, the cleaner will spark it so to speak and allow it to run. But if I have two or more on that same track and only one stalls, the cleaner will not work? But it will work if all three engines stall in different places? So going on that premise I should run one engine only and let the cleaner do whatever it does when that engine stalls, then remove that engine, and run each engine on it's own and let the cleaner work when that engine stalls, and so on and so forth. Theoretically then, after running each engine separately, I should be able to put as many together as I want and none should stall because the track would have been cleaned previously by the cleaner. Have I got the gist of it?
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Post by tjdreams on Aug 19, 2016 17:40:11 GMT -5
The Gaugemaster Electronic Track Cleaner works when a loco stalls by detecting that the current flow has stopped.
it then sends a spike that gets the locomotive moving again. If you have 2 locos on the line the Gaugemaster may not see that one Locomotive has stalled because the other one is still drawing Current. No current stop = no spike to get the other loco moving again.
I would suggest cleaning the rails by hand then running one loco pulling one or even 2 of the Aztec track cleaning cars a couple loops around the track then run your trains like normal
Putting one loco on then the other then the other then all 3 will not help.
As Rob taught me The best way to handle the situation is to cut up a old white t-shirt into small squares then use them on your finger tip to wipe the dust and dirt off the rails by hand. If its really dirty dampen the squares with 91% isopropyl alcohol or your favorite track cleaning solution.
When we setup for shows we wipe the track down before running the first loco each day and we usually have at least one Aztec car running thought the show. If need be mid day we will wipe the track down a 2nd time.
It takes a little effort on our part but we rarely have locos stalling do to dirty track. and we do not use the Gaugemaster
David
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Post by boxcarwilly on Aug 20, 2016 9:06:38 GMT -5
Thanks Dave for this info. I already have 3 Aztec cars, one for each line, that I run consistently and I use alcohol on coffee filters wrapped around the end of my re-railer to clean my track in addition to a rubberized scrubber so nothing new here. I just thought that the electronic cleaner would make it easier to clean the tracks in areas that are very hard to reach with conventional manual cleaners, such as tunnels, close canyons, and so on, as an assist to the Aztecs. If I decide to invest in one or more, I just want to be sure I have all the facts before doing so. They aren't exactly cheap.
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Post by emaley on Aug 20, 2016 10:47:19 GMT -5
I have one and it really does work. I have it wired in with a DC and DCC layout. It is on the DC leg. I switch to DC and run a loco with a track cleaning car for a few minutes, then I change and go to DCC and run an usual. Now all my stuff can run the same layout and the track gets cleaned. I would say it is definitely worth the money. My finicky engines even run better. First run after a long downtime, the yellow duty light flashes a lot. After a bit it flashes very rarely. Try it, you'll like it.
Trey
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Aug 21, 2016 9:59:00 GMT -5
They work very well and I can say if you are running DC it is a must. Obviously the newer locomotives run pretty good so you may not notice but with old 3 pole marklin you will be impressed. What they are saying about 2 locomotives or more together to me has been irrelevant, because if one does stall the other gives the nudge to get it going.
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Post by boxcarwilly on Aug 21, 2016 11:15:46 GMT -5
This has been very interesting, thanks all. I realized last night while looking at my layout, that I would need to install 3 on my longest main line. 1 for the travel part of the line, and 1 each for my 2 reverse loops because they are isolated from the main and are powered directly from the power pack. I also realized that there are only a couple of spots on 2 of my main lines that I could install these which would be in sections of track that are not ballasted and that would have to be in the tunnels. This could prove to be a challenge in itself because of access ability. There does seem to be a difference of opinion though regarding AZL and MTL engines that have traction tires and Marklin that doesn't. There would be little point to installing these if the cause problems for these engines.
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Post by davestubbs on Aug 21, 2016 14:49:35 GMT -5
I've used with all types of engines marklin mtl and azl with no problem. as far as your control just put 1 on each transformer that you use. I literally pulled the wires from my controller and put them into the cleaner than added the 2 wires from cleaner to control.
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billo
New Member
Posts: 6 
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Post by billo on Sept 7, 2016 1:56:54 GMT -5
Hello. I am new to the forum and have a question about the gauge master HF1. I have a Cortina layout withe three extensions and I am running three lines using the blue controllers. It is by understand that I need to remove the cap from the feeder tracks before installing the cleaner. My question is, are there and other items like track crossing units and track signals that I need to worry about before I connect the cleaner? I understand that I will need to install three units. Is this correct?
thanks
bill
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Post by markm on Sept 7, 2016 9:24:32 GMT -5
Bill,
Welcome to the forum. You may want to check out the HF2 Gaugemaster unit: it can handle two throttles. Assuming that you are using an all Märklin layout, I can't think of anything that should be an issue.
Mark
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billo
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by billo on Sept 7, 2016 12:53:29 GMT -5
Thanks Mark. I have looked for the HF2 but can't fing one in the USA. Do you know of a supplier?
Also what is the best way for wiring street and building lights?
thanks
bill
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