(note 10/25/18: I have retitled this thread since I am including other things I am doing to fix and generally overhaul these locomotives.)
I have a Lionel TMCC F7 ABA set with which there are a few problems I want to fix, and would enjoy getting some assistance! (* disclaimers: these topics have been covered, but I can't easily find the old threads, and would like a current discussion in case there are new parts or methods for fixing these issues).
First issue is the "couple opening" issue. This is an electronics issue, not a mechanical issue. The coupler on the back of the unpowered trailing A unit of the ABA set will "randomly" (probably not random) open at various places on the layout. As I recall there was a solution involving adding a capacitor somewhere (I guess across the leads of the electro-coupler).
Does anyone know a solution? If a capacitor, please share any knowledge about the values, and a good source for the part.
Second issue is power loss of the powered A unit over switches and elsewhere. There are just two rollers on the unit, so I am thinking replacing the the two single rollers with two double roller sets. Any advice, part number, and source, etc. would be appreciated.
I would also like to address a few other issues on these locomotives, which I will post about later.
Thank you!