Aristocraft FA1 (slight problem)

[duncan1_9_8_4]

Right, iv never noticed this before, but tonight i thought id run the railway in the dark. When the loco runs in reverse, the interior lights and head light work fine. Going forward direction, all interior lights work bar the headlight. Im confused, any ideas? The headlight bulb clearly wworks, but not going forwards..............? Help much apreciated.

 

[ntpntpntp]

Sounds like the headlight may be intended to be directional, but the diode is the wrong way round? Does the loco run the same direction as your other locos? If it runs the opposite way, perhaps at some point it's had it's bogies removed and re-fitted the wrong way round so it runs in reverse to "normal" ? That can cause this problem with directional headlights.
Is the loco fitted with a dcc decoder ?

 

[mmts]

Help much apreciated.

Dont run in the dark!!!????!!!!!
(not much help i know but......)

 

[duncan1_9_8_4]

i can confirm it runs exactley the same as all my other locos, even the b unit when in tandem. it does not have dcc fitted either. dont think i like the look of taking it to bits. looks complicated?

 

[ntpntpntp]

Diode the wrong way round, then. Or possibly the headlight's been plugged into the wrong socket on the main board (I'm assuming the main board is probably a general design that can be used with double-ended locos).

I don't have an FA1, but if it's like other Aristo diesels there'll be probably 6-8 screws to remove to open it up. There are exploded diagrams for both the old and new version of the model on the Aristocraft web site. If yours is the old model (pre the dcc plug-and-play board), it looks like the headlight comes with a diode in the wiring (unless it's a resistor) so could be plugged in the wrong way round.

 

[MR SPOCK]

I have got a FA that has its wiring in I can send you the bits as I dont need them if its any help there is a control board for the head lamp I think ​

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to take the body off you will need to gently ease the handrails out as they foul the frame, the screws are everywhere but the shell will need eased aprt gently. you will find the doors on the cab will get in the way as well,
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