Rapido FP9A Pilot Steps

[BCR751]

Has anyone successfully installed the front pilot steps on the Rapido FP9A without having them interfere with the front truck?

Doug

[Dwight in Toronto]

Nope, sorry, not me bud. I looked at those tiny wee bits, and thought “if I can’t even make out what the heck these are in the little baggie, there’s no way me or anyone else will notice if they are, or are not, installed on the model”.  The smallest drop of CA glue that I can coax onto the tip of a toothpick would be about the same size as those steps!

I mean, sheesh, even the specialized micro-proficient factory workers in China clearly said “screw that!”.

[peteski]

I have some recent European-prototype models which come with a bag of very delicate detailing parts (like hoses, coupling hooks, etc.)  Adding those to the models makes them into static display-only models, and that fact is usually stated in the included instructions.   Maybe the same applies here.

[BCR751]

Nope, no instructions for adding details were included for these models.  This includes the ditch lights for the units that didn't come with them already installed.  I tried to install them and they look like crap.  I'm not even going to try to install those pilot steps.

Doug

[craigolio1]

I've become very frustrated with Rapido.  I don't care about the tiny steps.... I'd just like my FP9 to run.  It lights up, but it wont go (it's DC).  I contacted Rapido and they sent me a link to Grant's YouTube video on how to tune them! Not even their own how to video.  A how to make our model run video... made by someone else. Hahaha. 

Anyway, I politely declined to fix it, sent them a list of all of their models I'd already had to fix in order to get them to run, and asked for postage paid box.  I want to spend my time building my models... not theirs.

Ugh.  I know its not the subject matter initially posted upon, but it triggered me.

craig

[Dwight in Toronto]

Craigolio, no kidding huh. Both my F9’s are finally running as they should in consist mode. Had some troubles there ever since getting them in September, but it turned out to be a PowerCab problem (needed 1.65B upgrade chip).

I watched Grant’s diagnostics & repair video. I don’t think I need to tackle his improvement, but I did send him a comment … said that I would henceforth be referring to Rapido as Repair-doh!

[Angus Shops]

So, it’s agreed that the “Grant Solution” is the recommended solution? And that the problem that the “Grant Solution” is intended to fix the excessive noise and hesitating performance?

Mine generally run OK, but with a lot of weird internal noise. I’m not really looking forward to having to take them apart; they seem unnecessarily complex on the insides. That seems to be Rapido’s Achilles Heel; rather than stick with proven and simple solutions, they come up with complex solutions that lead to new issues. Are they worried about patent infringements?  I didn’t mind having to mess around with my Canadian cars to get them to operate well because there’s not much of a chance of me really messing things up, but I’m not “OK” with having to disassemble my FP’s. What if I do mess this up; will I have any recourse with Rapido? And I agree that Rapido’s solution to the problem is to point to an outsider and say “fix it yourself” is not acceptable.

I’m generally a ‘keep it simple’ kind of guy. My layout is a decent size, but the tech that makes it run and it’s overall concept is pretty simple. And I enjoy fly fishing, but I own two modest rods and am a ‘small stream’ enthusiast to keep the gear needs down and the safety up (excepting bears).

[peteski]

That seems to be Rapido’s Achilles Heel; rather than stick with proven and simple solutions, they come up with complex solutions that lead to new issues. Are they worried about patent infringements?

Patents?!  I never heard of any Kato patents covering their simple, easy-to-service, low-friction mechanism design.  If there were, you would see the patent numbers printed on the jewel box insert.   Example of a patented design was the ubiquitous MTL knuckle coupler.  It was patented, and that was clearly mentioned on the packaging.

OTOH, the (Arnold) rapido coupler was not patented on purpose to allow other N scale manufacturers to make models which could couple with other brands, and that have worked very well (and it still does, since the rest of the world still uses (Arnold) rapido couplers).

While it seems silly to  me, I believe that Charlie Vlk mentioned the reason for what I will call "non-standard" (and non-optimal) mechanism designs is that the mechanism designers/engineers in China want to show off their talents (by not copying a proven design).  Or something like that. So while they show off (their inferior designs), we have to put up with those sub-par mechanisms in our expensive brand-new models.

[BCR751]

Regarding the "owner adds their own details" issue, the FP9A comes with a little baggy full of parts that are to be added by the owner if they so desire.  The contents of the baggy has been mentioned in a previous post and includes the pilot steps, the topic of this thread, but it also includes the cab sunshades.  In a series of correspondence with Rapido, it said to install the sunshades, simply insert the tabs into the pre-drilled holes in the cab.  I don't know about the other people's units but mine doesn't have any pre-drilled holes.  Another PITA situation to deal with from Rapido.  And, did I mention the ditch lights........?

Doug

[Dwight in Toronto]

So, it’s agreed that the “Grant Solution” is the recommended solution? And that the problem that the “Grant Solution” is intended to fix the excessive noise and hesitating performance?  Mine generally run OK, but with a lot of weird internal noise.

Grant Eastman’s procedure is clearly targeted at the unusual noise issue (he narrowed it down to some sort of a harmonics phenomenon … I’m impressed that he could even DO that, let alone come up with a fix).  I’m not sure that his video aims to resolve hesitation problems, but try commenting to his video with a question - he’s willing to help and seems responsive. If you haven’t already, try swapping the traction tire wheelset for the non-traction spare set in the bag. That seemed to help with both of mine.