Help. Piko BR80 loco wont move

S

Steve2091

Registered
Help. Piko BR80 loco wont move
:@

So im new to this forum and this gauge (ive got large enough layouts in N and OO so i thought id try something different). I bought a BR80 on friday and it ran fine. I go to run it today and it wont move but the lights still turn on, which proves its getting power just doing nothing with it! Any ideas anyone? Ive already tried cleaning the contacts, the track and the wheels.
 
Welcome to the forum.

I expect it could be a possble loose connection to the motor?

I'm not familiar with Piko locos, but I'd expect a circuit board inside with the wires that go to the motor block.

I don't know if the loco has a switch to turn off power to the motor either as some LGB engines have....
 
Not sure about the Piko locos, but the LGB ones have a 3 way switch in the cab normally where the fire box door is. One of the settings is lights on but no power to the motor, which is what you have right now, have a look.
 
Steve2091 said:
Help. Piko BR80 loco wont move
:@

So im new to this forum and this gauge (ive got large enough layouts in N and OO so i thought id try something different). I bought a BR80 on friday and it ran fine. I go to run it today and it wont move but the lights still turn on, which proves its getting power just doing nothing with it! Any ideas anyone? Ive already tried cleaning the contacts, the track and the wheels.
Click to expand...

Hi Steve. If the lights are coming on you clearly are picking up power so the likely problem is in the wiring to the motor or the motor itself. You really need to disassemble the loco and check that the connections internally are all OK and also check the motor by connecting it directly to a controller. You haven't mentioned if the loco is new or secondhand, but if new the wiring inside should be very simple and neatly coiled up and taped in place. If not, someone has been tinkering with it.

By the way, Piko don't fit isolation switches in the cab and there's no circuit board (none is needed!).

For dissassembly instructions, see my thread on the BR80 here:
http://www.gscalecentral.co.uk/pikos-br80-sows-ear-or-silk-purse ?
 
Hi Steve
Welcome :wave:
If you only picked up the loco friday i would take it back to the shop for them to sort as it should have a warranty even if it's second hand .
 
Steve2091 said:
Thanks for all your suggestions lads, since its brand new i might just take it back and see what they say.
Click to expand...

Steve - if it's brand new there's no debate. You hand it back and ask them to get it to work. If it doesn't, they either refund you on the spot or give you another loco.
 
Agreed - you wouldn't fiddle with your new washing machine if it played up.
 
Yes, absolutely. If it's new, the DON'T open it up or fiddle with it, or they might use that as an excuse to void the warranty. Just take it back and get a new one. Hopefully you got it from someone fairly local to you?

Jon.

PS: welcome to the monkey house (sorry, the GSC forums.....) ;)
 
Hello Steve and Welcome to GSC.

If you are familiar with the smaller gauges and new to G then it might also be worth looking at your transformer to make sure that it is up to the job of moving the Piko loco once it is sorted.
 
One thing I have noticed on the BR80 is if you have a derailment (usually involving animals) the side rods can get caught on the pins in the centre pair of wheels.

It jams the wheels solid so you have a stalled motor with lights on etc. Just make sure everything is loose.

I've started changing the pins on mine, they aren't very substantial and the front ones are susceptible to coming loose. I've tapped out the front wheels and made up some new threaded pins and it's been running fine ever since.

Tim
 
thanks Tim, that is indeed what appeared to have happened to the loco. for now ive put some oil onto the pins which seems to have made a difference (until the oil burns off i expect)
 
Burns off? that would be worth seeing!!!!
 
Steve2091 said:
thanks Tim, that is indeed what appeared to have happened to the loco. for now ive put some oil onto the pins which seems to have made a difference (until the oil burns off i expect)
Click to expand...

Steve

That shouldn't be happening with a new loco. The BR80s are pretty free running out of the box as a rule. Are there any odd noises which sound like gear binding? I'd still recommend that you return to the shop if it's reasonably local in case there is a more significant fault.
 
I suspect the other thing that doesn't help with the BR80 is R1 curves. When you look at how it goes around bends the centre wheel set moves over to accomodate the difference in alignment pushing the centre pins very close to the side rods.

If something upsets the loco at this point such as a derailment or hitting/catching on something it doesn't seem to take much to deflect the side rod on top of the pin. As I mentioned I changed the front pins on mine which seemed to be the weakest link and so far the problem hasn't reoccured, however the area where I am building the railway is fenced so it might be coincidence as I've had less paw of god incidents.

Tim

EDIT - by the way if there is any doubt I agree with Whatlep, take it back and see if another is better especially if it was just running quietly untouched.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top