Help! Operating Pantographs on NH EP-3 don't work. Update, FIXED

I decided to take it apart to see what made it work (or not work.)

 

I discovered that the black rubber drive belt had broken on each pantograph drive mechanism. So these will have to be replaced. I assume that I will have to disconnect the larger brass pulley from the frame of the mechanism in order to install a new rubber drive belt. Is there a trick to doing this?

 

Does any one know the drive belt part number? 

 

Are there other things that I should check before ordering parts from MTH?

 

Thank you.

I would make sure the motors are turning when you operate this.  I have not seen broken belt, but have seen bad motors.  Worth making sure the electronics and motor cycle.  G

I'd call Midge at MTH, I'm sure she can find the belts for you.

 

I run many of these engines with operating pans.  Like George, I have never seen a broken belt.  I have seen bad motors.  I usually unhook the plug from the unit that goes to the motor and hit the motor with a quick (very quick) shot from an 8.4 battery.  Before doing this, remove the pan motor from the engine.  If the motor makes a bit of noise and will not turn, take your Xacto and reach inside the gearbox and spin the gear (very small) that is mounted on the motor shaft and repeat the battery test.  Most of the time this will free up and start working again.

 

The belt issue is another story.  Never seen it.  I know you unhook the pans from the pan base before doing anything.  Did you buy this new?

Update.

 

Ordered new belts from Midge. Part number: EG-3100000. Looks like an O ring: 13/16" OD; 5/8" ID.

 

Installed both belts. 

 

Pantographs work in conventional--but not under DCS. Did a Reset. Same result. No response under DCS. 

 

Will call MTH tech this week.

 

More to come. I hope.

MTH tech was not able to suggest a solution. He suggested that I send the PS2 boards to MTH to see if there is a defective component.

Before I do that, I thought that I would try down loading the EP-3 sound file and reloading it to see if that cured the problem. 

The EP-3 sound file is not available on the MTH site.

If someone has the file would you please send it to me at: CABRAUER41@AOL.COM.

Yes it is.  G

George, Where did you find it?

I looked for it on the DCS Production Sound Sets. It sent me to sevice. The sound set icon is grey.

I went to the service site, than typed in EP-3 for the search and a number are shown with PS-2 3V sounds available.  G

Update.

 

I discussed this problem with Jeff Strang (sp?) at MTH. Operating pantographs are controlled by ditch light circuit. He could not understand why they didn't work under DCS but did work under Conventional.

I told him that the DCS sound file for this engine 20-5630-1 was not available on the MTH web site. He said that he would have the sound person add it. 

Before sending the boards back to MTH, I downloaded the sound file to the engine.

 

BINGO. Problem cured. It was the sound file.

 

Thank you Jeff.

 

Nice!

Thanks for the follow up.  G