This may sound like a stupid question but would bad or worn carbon rollers on a ZW Transformer cause intermittent power losses on the loop of track powered by the ZW handle for that loop? My common sense says yes but before I begin the repair process I'd like some confirmation.
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Look at the rollers, are they worn down to close to the arms? If so, they're bad. Truthfully, more often than not it's poor conductivity either through the pin on the axle or the pivot point where the arm contact meets the fixed part of the power path. I use something like Deoxit-D5 to lower the resistance.
A new roller is around .4" in diameter, when they're worn down they'll be around .3" or a bit less.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Look at the rollers, are they worn down to close to the arms? If so, they're bad. Truthfully, more often than not it's poor conductivity either through the pin on the axle or the pivot point where the arm contact meets the fixed part of the power path. I use something like Deoxit-D5 to lower the resistance.
A new roller is around .4" in diameter, when they're worn down they'll be around .3" or a bit less.
Gunrunner, I appreciate the response and I will check the rollers when I get the chance but in the interim and getting back to my original question will bad rollers cause intermittent power loss? I'm curious.
OKHIKER posted:... getting back to my original question will bad rollers cause intermittent power loss? I'm curious.
gunrunnerjohn posted:...more often than not it's poor conductivity either through the pin on the axle or the pivot point where the arm contact meets the fixed part of the power path...
ADCX Rob posted:OKHIKER posted:... getting back to my original question will bad rollers cause intermittent power loss? I'm curious.
gunrunnerjohn posted:...more often than not it's poor conductivity either through the pin on the axle or the pivot point where the arm contact meets the fixed part of the power path...
I'm not anyone's idea of an electrician but I can understand that that the problem can arise through the pin on the axle or the pivot point but what if the carbon roller itself is worn down; can that cause intermittent power loss?
Just because the roller is worn down smaller than when new, assuming there isn't sufficient wear to have the arms contacting the transformer coil (very bad when this happens!), that shouldn't cause any power issues. It's normal for the rollers to get smaller as they wear.
Gunrunner, thanks for your responses. I have a better idea now as to what may be going on with my power loss problem.
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