Critter running in the wrong direction...

Well it's good news from me - managed (in my own way) to reverse the polarity. I tried de-soldering the wires from the motor but didn't manage that. I was worried that I might break the wire from each terminal attachment - don't know what they (brown things). So I reassembled the motor block after memorising (that took some concentration) the two wire colours.

Then I snipped the wires, slipped on some tight fitting heat shrink, and resoldered the wires to the opposite colours. Plugged the pair in, tested on the trailer layout with another loco and it worked!:whew:

Thanks again for the helpfull advice, explanations, and entertainment!
 
Gavin Sowry said:
Mr. Aristocraft has got a few wires tucked away in your Critter. The pick up wires are plug joined to the wires feeding the motor.
Can't remember if the plug is 'reversible' (doesn't only fit one way). If it is, just put the plug back in t'other way round. If not, swap the wire over in one of the plugs.

Idiots Guide to Alec Trickery..... available FREE on G Scale Central. Smart fellow, that Alec.
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No the plug doesnt reverse unfortunately. I think I derserve a Diploma in Idiocy (eejit in Mayo by the way) - it isn't just the numb skull though! My fingers are as smooth as a babies bottom - could that be through helping out with domestic chores?
 
Ah, the little brown things are capacitors - to stop the motors interfering with your TV :nod::nod:

Very early model trains won't have 'em - 'cos there was no TV :D:D:D
 
Rhinochugger said:
Ah, the little brown things are capacitors - to stop the motors interfering with your TV :nod::nod:

Very early model trains won't have 'em - 'cos there was no TV :D:D:D
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Is that the same as a suppressor? I remember when my dad bought a TV. Next door neighbour used to hoover at some strange times. My dad used bray on the wall to try and get her to stop so we could see the telly!
 
I find it interesting that Bachmann, considered to be the Louis Marx level of trains today, puts a DPDT switch in some of their locos to change polarity.
 
Madman said:
I find it interesting that Bachmann, considered to be the Louis Marx level of trains today, puts a DPDT switch in some of their locos to change polarity.
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And that reminds me! One of the BH locos I put a 'new' chassis in has no such switch and, guess what? It runs in the opposite direction (like the Critter did). I did bell the wiring out so it went in as the original!
 
trammayo said:
And that reminds me! One of the BH locos I put a 'new' chassis in has no such switch and, guess what? It runs in the opposite direction (like the Critter did). I did bell the wiring out so it went in as the original!
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I don't think the early Bug Maulers had it, but all of the more recent locos (including the Annie) have polarity switches :nod::nod:
 
Rhinochugger said:
I don't think the early Bug Maulers had it, but all of the more recent locos (including the Annie) have polarity switches :nod::nod:
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Yes, you're right. I do like the Baldwins though - and Bachmann have, over the years, improved them. They do have a presence on the trailer layout not really equalled by other manufacturers (save LGB - and most of those are beyond my reach).
 
trammayo said:
Yes, you're right. I do like the Baldwins though - and Bachmann have, over the years, improved them. They do have a presence on the trailer layout not really equalled by other manufacturers (save LGB - and most of those are beyond my reach).
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That's why I went Bachmann US style when I first started out in garden railways - you get lots of wheels for your money >:)>:)>:)>:)>:)

And I like wheels - anything that moves on wheels :cool::cool::cool::cool:

I then bought the first Connie, and realised how wide she was, and then needed more :devil::devil::devil::devil:
 
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