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12 replies

L-3 mohawk ps2 strange operation

L 99ls1taOGR Forum Member
Posted in wrong section so sorry if you see this again.  I have a old railking L-3 model # 30-1165-1 that is giving me fits.  It was in storage for 10 years I got it out forgetting it had a battery and tried to run it.  The sounds worked fine it just would not move due to dead battery when direction button was pushed.  I installed a bcr let it charge up and it ran sort of, the bell is always on no whistle but other sounds seemed ok.  I cleaned the wheels, track, changed the grease in gearbox, checked all track connections and joints and tried again.  As soon as power on bell is on always, tried moving it again, started out fine but after maybe 45 seconds it slowed to a crawl, and before I could kill power it threw several big sparks from the back of the cab area of engine.  It also threw a stale burnt smell.  I powered it up again and the sounds came right back (bell too) but I didn't try moving it again.  Put other locos on my track(a williams and a mth with ps1) and they run fine. Another member suggested a scrambled board, what's the check or fix for that?  Or am I better off retiring this and getting a newer loco?
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G GGGOGR Forum Member

The Bell coming on is a possible indication that there is a pinched wire (motor Lead or the purple PV wire).  It also can be a sign that a component has failed on the board. Could be smoke unit too, so you can try it with smoke off.

 

The sparks and smell is not good.  I would check for wire damage and such.

 

This is the older PS-2 5V board and they have the potential to fail with age.  G

L 99ls1taOGR Forum Member
I'm just using a mth z1000 that was bought with the loco back in probably around 2002 or round abouts.  It's on fastrack but I doubt that matters much.  I pulled the loco she'll and didn't see any pinched or broken wires or connections.  If it is the board failing which seems like the case I know a new ps2 board is more than this engine is worth, is there anything cost effective that would convert it to just basic forward/reverse operation?  If I can at least make it a runner without the sounds I'd be happy.
G GreggOGR Forum Member

 

 Having been in storage for 10 years could explain a few things .. Dead battery for sure however I wouldn't give up on it just yet... I bet the center rail rollers are not picking up the current very well.   Try and clean them the best way you can... I like to give then a spin with a wire brush in a Dremel at the work bench, A little WD- 40, wipe clean and then a small dap of oil on the roller pins.    Having smoke and that burnt electrical smell is not good though. .

G GGGOGR Forum Member

You can put in a basic Electronic reverse unit and wire it for motor operation.  Williams and Dallee have them.  You will need to modify lighting if you want it.  Everything ran off the board (smoke and Lights), and you can't just power them from track power without modification.

 

But for motion only, the electronic reverse will do it.  G

L 99ls1taOGR Forum Member
I know Marty, life got in the way.  Got married had to move a couple times for job reasons then two little ones, didn't leave anytime for the locos.  I should have sold it off but I remembered my grandad storing his old lionel but I guess these new electronics aren't as forgiving as the old postwar loinels.  Plus side my Williams fa2 diesels are running great! Do those aftermarket boards come with instructions?  What would I have to change to get the light to work?  If I can salvage motion and lighting I'd be thrilled at this point!!
R RJROGR Forum Member

99, I have that loco, in SOU livery.  It was one of my first to have the 5-volt board go bad.  I replaced it with another 5-volt boards years ago and its run well ever since.  I am in the process of replacing the board with a 3-volt PS2 board with supercap just to phase out all my 5-volt locos, even though it still worked fine.

 

The decision you have is whether you are going the conventional route for your layout, or the DCS route.

L 99ls1taOGR Forum Member
I may take you up on that G. I'm not sure why but I always had a soft spot for this thing, I think that's why I didn't sell it when it was in storage.  Do you have a e-mail or way to get in touch to talk about options and pricing?  If the 5v boards were a problem I'd consider upgrading to something else depending on cost.  Thanks to everyone for the replies, it was a very nice pick me up after dealing with a sick locomotive.

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