I have a Lionel #6-18302 Great Northern EP-5 that runs great in one direction but not so well in the opposite direction. It hardly has any track time. The motor brushes are still high in their holders indicating, to me, that they are still like new. I've checked their movement and they move freely up and down, albeit very little, probably due to their length being new.
This loco has a standard mechanical E-unit. What else should I be looking for ?
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How is the brush spring tension? What exactly is the engine doing? Running to slow in one direction?
Dabs, sounds like a bad finger in the e-unit. I’d rebuild the e-unit with a new drum and fingers and you should get it running nice and smooth
Lou1985 posted:How is the brush spring tension? What exactly is the engine doing? Running to slow in one direction?
The loco spits and starts in one direction, but runs smoothly in the opposite direction.
Matt Makens posted:Dabs, sounds like a bad finger in the e-unit. I’d rebuild the e-unit with a new drum and fingers and you should get it running nice and smooth
Perhaps a Dallee E-unit is in order ?
First thing to check is the free play in the motor armature. If it moves too much when it changes direction, that can cause very poor running in one direction. The armature should be free, but have very little end play.
Thanks John. I'll have a look at that.
Had a closer look at the motor today. Turns out it was sticky brushes, so I cleaned the commutator plate, brushes and brush wells. I am now a happy camper.
When I go thru the post war locos, I rebuild the e-unit, clean the brush plate, the brushes and brush sleeves and I will usually file a little off the end of the brushes to remove any dirty or oily part from the brush. Once back together they run like new
Great thing about these old locos. A little basic maintenance and they are good as new. That's a great looking engine Dan.
Bob
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