This is what he's talking about. It's most certainly not stock for a factory engine!
Hi Sinclair,
While you are looking, I noticed another interesting oddity that I would like you to confirm. K-line advertised the conventional version as having operating pantographs.
On mine they are isolated from the shell with fiber washers. The are also connected by a 16 ga insulated wire.
They are currently used as the TMCC antennas and attached to the motherboard on the J4 connector next to the battery connector at j10.
Is yours set up the same way?
While you are looking, I noticed another interesting oddity that I would like you to confirm. K-line advertised the conventional version as having operating pantographs.
On mine they are isolated from the shell with fiber washers. The are also connected by a 16 ga insulated wire.
They are currently used as the TMCC antennas and attached to the motherboard on the J4 connector next to the battery connector at j10.
Is yours set up the same way?
That's what "operating pantographs" meant to K-Line. I have the "TMCC UPGRADABLE" GG-1 from K-Line that meant that there was plenty of room for the boards! 
Hi John,
Yes, operating meant that you could power from an overhead catenary.
No motors to lift up and down.
But I am curious if Sinclair's "factory" version also used the pantographs for the antenna.
Or did K-line isolate and use the shell. That would leave them operational.
I do not think my receiver board would want 12vac to the antenna pin.
Yes, operating meant that you could power from an overhead catenary.
No motors to lift up and down.
But I am curious if Sinclair's "factory" version also used the pantographs for the antenna.
Or did K-line isolate and use the shell. That would leave them operational.
I do not think my receiver board would want 12vac to the antenna pin.
I'm almost certain they used the pantographs as I've worked on a couple and they've always had the connection to the pantographs for the antenna.
The red button thing that John posted a photo of is not in my GG1, as far as I remember. It won't be until this weekend before I can dig it out and open it up. I had to put most of my stuff away having a carpet layout and had a big party for my boys' birthday party (Both born the same day, 9 years apart, from different mothers!) where there were lots of little kids that like to pick up and drop things. I don't mind the one or two of my locomotives I set apart for this getting this treatment, but my more prized pieces were packed away for safety.
As for the pantographs, I do remember seeing a wire going to them, and thinking cool I could power it that way, but have since realized it was most likely for the antenna after the pantographs popped off when I was lubing it before I boxed it up. IMHO, I think K-Line meant that you could move them up or down when they said operating, as in you can operate them up or down, and they are not some cast or plastic molded piece just for looks.
Whether they meant it or not. They are set up to provide power if you connect them to the positive pickup terminal on the e-unit in conventional.
Attaching the TMCC antenna in my case eliminated that option.
At least I think it does.
No hurry on looking. More curious than anything.
If you did not remove the motherboard, you might not notice the splice connectors.
There were only two on mine. Under the board.
Attaching the TMCC antenna in my case eliminated that option.
At least I think it does.
No hurry on looking. More curious than anything.
If you did not remove the motherboard, you might not notice the splice connectors.
There were only two on mine. Under the board.
I have several K-Line GG1s and they all have antenna pantographs. I also had some of the upgradeable ones which had the pantographs insulated and available for wiring to the antenna input if upgraded.
I would say that K-Line meant operating was mechanical up and down, etc. But I also thought that it would be fun to use at least one to receive power from an overhead catenary. But, never tried it.
Yes, I did not remove the main board when I had it open. I'll see if I can look under when I pull the shell off.
As to over head powering, since I'm not an electrical savvy guy, I had no real intent to try it. But sometime I would like to put the overhead wires up just for looks, and it does look sharp from the few photos I've seen where guys have done it, but there seems to be a serious lack of prefab options, and the two that I have found cost a lot because they are made to supply power. Anyone know of online instructions and supply list to make your own non-powered over head lines that are still strong enough for the pantographs to ride on?
