Bowser SD40-2 Problems

[cpbellevillesub]

Folks, long time reader, first time poster.

I'm having a cut out issue with one of my Bowser SD40-2's. It's a DCC/Sound version from the first run, and the sound/lights seem to be cutting out about 1-2 times every 4 ft of track traveled. 

I've cleaned it up numerous times now, cleaned the track (all of my other units run fine) and have done a decoder reset, but I'm still having the same problem. One thing I've noticed is that while cleaning the wheels (alcohol on paper towel method), the unit will have zero electrical pick up when all 6 wheels of the back truck are touching the paper towel, so perhaps this is a pick up issue with the front truck?

Would like to hear others thoughts on the problem and whether or not anyone else has had this issue. I own two other Boswer SD40-2's from the second run, and neither have this problem, yet all three are maintained the same. 

Cheers and any help would be appreciated!

Mike

[luebeck3102]

Double check the wiring. I've had a couple of locomotive with some sort of loose wire before. One time I had an issue with one of my Athearn Genesis units from a few years ago where I had a loose wire going to one of the trucks. Since then, wire got fixed and the engine runs fine. Another time, there was a loose wire in a speaker of my Intermountain ES44AC.

[markfj]

Hello Mike,


+1 on checking the wiring.

While I don’t own one of Bowser’s SD40-2s, I do have several of their Alcos. Below is a photo of the power contact strip from one of their C636 models. Nothing wrong with the strip, but check out the solder joint for the wire; yikes! It’s probably hard to see clearly in my photo, but that wire is literally connected to the strip by one strand.



If you’re comfortable disassembling you model, you might want to check the wire connects at the trucks. The wires could have been poorly soldered too, and that might be causing some reduced or intermittent power flow to the motor and electronics.


Good luck!

Mark

[cpbellevillesub]

Thanks gents, you were bang on. One of the wires from the contact strip snapped off.

The unit is now back up and running problem free.

Appreciate the positive feedback!

Cheers,

Mike

[spookyac47]

Dec 7, 2017 6:43:57 GMT -8 markfj said:

Hello Mike,


+1 on checking the wiring.

While I don’t own one of Bowser’s SD40-2s, I do have several of their Alcos. Below is a photo of the power contact strip from one of their C636 models. Nothing wrong with the strip, but check out the solder joint for the wire; yikes! It’s probably hard to see clearly in my photo, but that wire is literally connected to the strip by one strand.



If you’re comfortable disassembling you model, you might want to check the wire connects at the trucks. The wires could have been poorly soldered too, and that might be causing some reduced or intermittent power flow to the motor and electronics.


Good luck!

Mark

For the solder connection in the photo, I would be tempted to remove the solder, snip off the wire end and strip back insulation far enough for soldering. Tin the wire using acid free flux. Clean the surface on the power contact strip (pencil eraser or very fine sandpaper) Flow a small bit of solder on the contact strip using acid free flux and solder the new end on the wire to the contact strip.