New Release Big Boy Issues?

[jereising]

I know I'm not the only one to pick up one of these beauties -

Had to do a reset and change the steps to 128 to get the lights to work, but that's fine now.

But there is a power pickup problem.

On clean track slow running is impossible, the decoder resets continually.

Is there a keep alive circuit in the machine or have I got a dud?

My Challenger was virtual perfection, guess it was too much to ask...

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

[C855B]

Pardon if this comes under "merely obvious", Jim, but have you thoroughly cleaned the wheels? The similar experience I had with the ScaleTrains.com turbine was caused by apparent manufacturing residue on the wheel treads. The black streaks left on the paper towels soaked in contact cleaner were really bad. Night and day difference after that process.

[Englewood]

Mine was doing the same thing on what I thought was clean track. I'd just run my Turbine on it with no problem. A quick wipe of the track at it's gotten a lot better. I guess I need to check the wheels to see if they've got a little bit of factory leftovers on them.

[jereising]

Mike, they looked clean, no apparent buildup whatsoever - but perhaps a coating of some kind.  I'll hit all wheels first chance I get and see if there's a difference.  First thing I did was get the track squeaky clean - anything else will creep along with no probs.

Now I am assuming there's no pickup from the loco wheels - but of course one should NEVER assume so I'll get 'em good.

[C855B]

Yes, a coating of some sort. Whether it is a protectant for the trip in the container or machining residue, that I don't know.

Loco wheels are "live". This isn't your father's brass.   

[peteski]

Put a piece of paper or thin cardstock under the tender wheels while the loco is sitting on the track and easily verify whether the drivers pick up electricity.

Or do the same with the loco to see if the tender picks up electicity.

[jereising]

I cleaned all wheels with isopropyl, and it did make a difference.  Yes, the drivers are used as pickups.  According to the manual, eight tender wheels also are pickups - the front 4 wheel truck for sure, but don't know which others just by looking, and no joy with an ohm meter.

There was a marked improvement in running, but still nowhere what it should be.  Seems like nearly every time the loco goes over a rail joint power gets interrupted and the decoder resets, and over switches the same.  Gotta be something going on besides dirt.

I tried to get the tender off to see what I could see, but the front fitting the manual says conceals a screw won't move - and if I use any more force it will not be pretty.

Looks like it's factory time. 

[sundowner]

I cleaned all wheels with isopropyl, and it did make a difference.  Yes, the drivers are used as pickups.  According to the manual, eight tender wheels also are pickups - the front 4 wheel truck for sure, but don't know which others just by looking, and no joy with an ohm meter.

There was a marked improvement in running, but still nowhere what it should be.  Seems like nearly every time the loco goes over a rail joint power gets interrupted and the decoder resets, and over switches the same.  Gotta be something going on besides dirt.

I tried to get the tender off to see what I could see, but the front fitting the manual says conceals a screw won't move - and if I use any more force it will not be pretty.

Looks like it's factory time.

For the front screw on the tender, you need to remove the toolbox first and then oil bunker plate. The toolbox is #124 on the manual and the plate is #169.

Your problem is the sound decoder, I got rid of my challenger because every time the loco found a dirty spot the sound decoder would do a reset like stop and then it would take it time restarting. I got DCC ready version of the Big Boy and install the decoder myself.  I am much happier because it does not do the hesitation anymore
Also the decoder is a 6 pin like the FVM locos.

[peteski]

I have a Big Boy from the previous run (with a factory installed Tsunami sound decoder) and I have not experienced any dropouts or decoder resets. It runs pretty reliably.

[jereising]

Sundowner, thanks.  (Specially for the tender top removal - not apparent by the exploded drawing.)

It's about to be Athearn's problem.  I agree the DCC system has to be the issue, or a loose wire somewhere.  With that many wheels picking up - and I cleaned them AGAIN, including the driver insides and the two tender wheel insides where the wipers are - there was improvement, but it's not running like it should.

And Peteski, I have a Challenger from a couple years back - with DCC & sound - and it's all it should be.  Runs like a watch. 

Which is what I expect for the kind of dough it costs.

[arbomambo]

I purchased a new one and there are zero issues with mine apart from the numberboards being slightly askew due to the plastic insert that cradles the engine. It should be a simple fix to realign them in a horizontal plane. Apart from that, the engine runs as smoothly as silk...
~Bruce

[jereising]

I purchased a new one and there are zero issues with mine apart from the numberboards being slightly askew due to the plastic insert that cradles the engine. It should be a simple fix to realign them in a horizontal plane. Apart from that, the engine runs as smoothly as silk...
~Bruce

Appreciate the report, Bruce.  Of course now I hate you...

I've sent an email to help@athearn.com - lets see what they have to say.  Sigh.

[jereising]

Sent off an email 7-17 to Athearn asking for assistance.  Received a reply this morning (7/18) asking me why I had included my address in the email (I had included name, address, email, and phone - no such thing as too much info when asking for help).  Apparently nothing else but the name and address got through I was told in the second email, but this time there was the rest of the email describing my issues.  I was told the email would be forwarded to their part time technician to see if he could help.

And so we go.

I was able to access the other screw in the tender top via the toolbox and oil cover thanks to @sundowner but the shell still didn't want to move and I'm not about to force it, even a little.  I've got a feeling the loco will be taking a trip - either to Athearn or even back to MBK - and don't want to mess it up.  I'd rather do without than have a poor runner.

[MK]

Part time technician????!!!!  I thought Athearn is a big outfit?   

[peteski]

Part time technician????!!!!  I thought Athearn is a big outfit?   

Cutbacks!  They have to stay lean to have funds to produce all those new N scale models.