Kato GS-4 Daylight,problems already.

[Chulvis]

I'll use a plug and socket under the tender to facilitate tender removal.

Please share when you do, Phill. I'm very interested to see this.

[up1950s]

I have the CC GS4 and was just reading the thread to learn what was up with the Kato .

(Modified for content)

[up1950s]

I think the Kato GS-4 rods are better than the CC rods .

I like the fact that the front truck is correct . Can the sideframes be modified on the CC ?
 
I like the Kato stars .

The smokebox front cover coming off as no big deal to me .
 
The short at the drawbar is disappointing , but I think having to replace it is excessive , because that would put a potential defect in the whole lot of them . That sounds like a lot of returned locos .

Has anybody gram-ed out its tractive effort ?

I agree that the CC paint looks better .

[UP_Phill]

Looks like the draw bar is the culprit.

Wonder why it's only in DCC then.


Jason

From what others have said I'm assuming that the frame is actually a "quad" frame (2 x Motor & 2 x Pickup). When the loco is running on pure DC and the frame shorts from frame to pickup (or visa versa) you won't see any issues. If that same issue occurs under DCC (motor must be isolated) you could easily damage the decoder and cause all sorts of strange problems.

I'll know more when mine arrives....hopefully Monday.

[Norm P]

Chuck if this unit is selling as well as it sounds, how is Kato planning on fixing this problem assuming it continues to present itself?  Seems like an awful lot of replacement units.  Did the guy you talked to give any more specifics?

(Modified for content)

[Chulvis]

Norm,

As the problem has just surfaced, I don't think they have a concrete plan in place just yet. Stay tuned.

[Chulvis]

Guys:

In an effort to bring this thread back to the topic at hand I have removed a number of post that were not topic related.

I mean no disrespect to any of you, however the thread was going in so many different directions it was getting hard to follow.

Let's please stay on topic and help each other with this issue and offer whatever advice we can to help each other out.

[Norm P]

Have they designed a brand new mechanism for the GS-4 or did they just adapt the guts of something else to fit in it?  I'm probably wrong, but I would think if it's taken out of something else the kinks should have already been worked out.

[seusscaboose]

i will be very curious to see how this plays out....

if we can pinpoint it to dcc operation only... that is a step in the right direction......

the backing up short cirtuiting could be caused by a jerking motion in the draw bar from not enough runtime....

a lightboard issue is another thing....curious....and maybe the answer....

i am grateful for chuck taking the lead and ensuring customer satisfaction...
i too am experiencing some hesitation in reverse and some shorting in forward...

still doesnt stop the fact dc operation is sweet and the thing pulls a ton.

there are worse things in the world...

for those of us in dcc world...a solution will surely present itself shortly (pun intended).

EP

[up1950s]

Being that Kato admits there is a problem is big in my book . The fix is afoot .

[Al_T]

I am a lurker hear I usually figure that ya'll know a heck of a lot more than I so I usually just keep my mouth shut and read. However I just got my GS4 in today. It is running great on DC very smooth and very quiet both forward and reverse. I can't imagine that it will be the draw bar  but what do I know If I would have to guess I to would suspect it will end up being somewhere in the light circuit. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Mine will not be on DCC for a while so will wait and see how this all works out. I have nothing but faith that Kato will have it worked out soon enough. This is the smoothest steam engine that I have ever seen when ran on DC of course.

Good Luck to all

Al

[up1950s]

A  Jose2006 on the A board discovered that the TT driver is hitting the frame at times  which would only give DCC guys hell . Kato has a problem . Maybe a smaller flange TT driver can be had . For those deft with a dremel it may be as easy as a slight pocket for the flange to call home . Film at 11 as they say .

[seusscaboose]

from the "A board"
----
"After close inspection and a meter. I discovered that the short is caused by the upper frame halve - in my case it is the left one.

The upper frame halves dip down below the top of the third drivers (traction). The right upper frame half on mine is recessed, but my left one sticks out just enough that the driver comes in contact with it and as a result an intermittent short occurs.

I've posted a picture of what I found in the Yahoo Group Nscale. It's in the album Locomotive Hardware Issues.

This is either....

1. An assembly issue
2. Incorrect plastic spacers used for the upper frame halves.
3. Incorrect machining specifications or just plain incorrect machining.

This issue will not show under DC. It will only show under DCC since power and signal must be isolated.

Other than this. It's a real real beauty, and the thought in the overall design is on par with brilliance. The fourth driver is actually spring loaded to push down on the track. Don't know about the others. Now...should I take a dremel to it or shall I send it back for warranty work....hmmmm....."



food for thought for Kato

[UP_Phill]

The easiest way to fix this (for me anyway) will be to hardwire the motor to the tender. While I'm doing that I'll also run some leads up to the light board (modified).

Might even take some pics of the install...stay tuned.

[fieromike]

The easiest way to fix this (for me anyway) will be to hardwire the motor to the tender. While I'm doing that I'll also run some leads up to the light board (modified).

Might even take some pics of the install...stay tuned.

Hardwiring the decoder might be the solution to the short problem with the driver and frame frying the Kato (and other?) decoders.
This from BLW's site today:
"Important Note regarding EM 13 DCC Decoder. DO NOT INSTALL EM 13 IN YOUR GS-4 LOCO. Apparently there is an "issue" with this decoder. We have received several reports of it shorting and burning out. Kato is aware of and working on the problem. BLW will post updates as available. In the meantime, please do not install the DCC until further notice."

Mike