Ralphmp
Registered
Apologies in advance for the length of this post but I wanted to provide as much info as possible about this problem.
I got hold of an Arosa Sammler edition set a while back which inlcudes loco RhB GE 4/4 II number 627. The gearboxes of the loco identify it as a 20432.1
I was told the loco had been chipped with 2 x 55021 decoders, so I checked the loco out using my Massoth service tool (power switch in position 0). All CVs were read OK and I was able to make changes to loco address, digital only, etc. However, when I put the loco on the tracks and move the cab power switch to position 1, my Massoth central station immediately trips (red STOP lights flashing on Navigator).
I've opened up the loco to see if there was an obvious cause such as a loose wire but all seemed to be in order. I disconnected the ribbon cable between the board on the loco roof and the main board on the base and the loco then worked fine. Ran backwards and forwards smoothly, no funny smells or arcing sounds. So I assume the problem must to lie in the electronics in the body.
As part of trying to home in on the problem, I reconnected the body-to-base ribbon cable and then unplugged each of the leads from the "roof" board in turn. Unfortunately, whatever leads I unplugged I got the same result as before - turn power switch to anything other than position 1 and the Massoth trips out. I eventually ended up with just the lead from the cab switch connected to the roof board, and the problem still persists.
As far as I can tell with some basic continuity testing, the output leads from the switch pass current when they're supposed to, but I don't know how to test if the switch itself is somehow "cross-connecting". I'm therefore hoping someone may recognize the loco innards and have some suggestions on how I can narrow down the problem.
One other thing that struck me as odd - the loco has motorised pantos, but when these were unclipped from their storage position, they both immediately sprang up to full height. This is unlike my other GE 4/4 IIs where the pantos lie flat when they've been unclipped, and only move up and down when driven by the panto motors. Having checked the motors they aren't seized but I'm wondering if some previous owner has used them when the pantos have been clipped down, and as a result caused some kind of damage.
Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks!
I got hold of an Arosa Sammler edition set a while back which inlcudes loco RhB GE 4/4 II number 627. The gearboxes of the loco identify it as a 20432.1
I was told the loco had been chipped with 2 x 55021 decoders, so I checked the loco out using my Massoth service tool (power switch in position 0). All CVs were read OK and I was able to make changes to loco address, digital only, etc. However, when I put the loco on the tracks and move the cab power switch to position 1, my Massoth central station immediately trips (red STOP lights flashing on Navigator).
I've opened up the loco to see if there was an obvious cause such as a loose wire but all seemed to be in order. I disconnected the ribbon cable between the board on the loco roof and the main board on the base and the loco then worked fine. Ran backwards and forwards smoothly, no funny smells or arcing sounds. So I assume the problem must to lie in the electronics in the body.
As part of trying to home in on the problem, I reconnected the body-to-base ribbon cable and then unplugged each of the leads from the "roof" board in turn. Unfortunately, whatever leads I unplugged I got the same result as before - turn power switch to anything other than position 1 and the Massoth trips out. I eventually ended up with just the lead from the cab switch connected to the roof board, and the problem still persists.
As far as I can tell with some basic continuity testing, the output leads from the switch pass current when they're supposed to, but I don't know how to test if the switch itself is somehow "cross-connecting". I'm therefore hoping someone may recognize the loco innards and have some suggestions on how I can narrow down the problem.
One other thing that struck me as odd - the loco has motorised pantos, but when these were unclipped from their storage position, they both immediately sprang up to full height. This is unlike my other GE 4/4 IIs where the pantos lie flat when they've been unclipped, and only move up and down when driven by the panto motors. Having checked the motors they aren't seized but I'm wondering if some previous owner has used them when the pantos have been clipped down, and as a result caused some kind of damage.
Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks!
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