Lionel UP Genset Sporatic Behavior

I have a Vision Line Genset, and I don't see any of these issues.  I'd make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the pickups and wheels, as well as the track.  I'd also check and make sure there isn't some issue like a loose screw for the pickups.

I've run mine on several different layouts with no issues of speed control or random horn operation at all.

Are you running command or conventional?  I've never run mine conventional, but in command mode it's the slowest locomotive I have, it'll crawl along at a true snail's pace at the slowest setting.  Also, remember this is a Legacy locomotive, so the best slow speed performance is going to be had using the Legacy system.

John,

Thanks for the reply.

I'll check the pick up rollers and clean the track thoroughly. Are the command controlled engines that much more sensitive?

I'm running conventionally and it just seems like the diesel is possessed. As soon as I turn on the throttle the Genset blares its horn, ditch lights oscillate and the engine starts speeding up rapidly.

I'm amazed it picks up speed with <10% throttle.

Steve

Truthfully, I find my stuff pretty tolerant of my Fastrack, it rarely gets cleaned, and I don't see issues like this.  Normally, when I see lights flickering a bit as the locomotive runs, I figure it's time to clean the track.

What you're describing doesn't sound at all normal to me.

Turn off the smoke units and see if it works normally.  The 75 Watt with the 3 smoke units in the Vision version of the Genset uses a lot of power.  If it works with the smoke off then you need more wattage.

Jim

Jim,

I'm going to try a higher wattage transformer this evening. I've seen some discussions where Legacy engines losing the command signal, revert to conventional mode and take off down the track.

Sounds similar to what I have going on, that individual sent it to Lionel and they replaced misc. electronics.

I just purchased this and I would hope it would be covered under the Vision Line warranty.

Anyone else with any input before I initiate conversation with Lionel?

Thanks all for the help.

Steve

I'd go with a larger transformer first, and maybe see if you could find someone close that has a command setup to see if it run properly under command control.

Smoke is off, and I ran with the Z750 and the Genset rapidly took off blaring its horn.

Ran last night with a CW80, smoke off, and the Genset moved slowly, rang its bell.

In either case the bell/horn buttons on the transformers had no affect and power interruption would not change the direction.

I'm going to take it to a LHS and test it with command control.

Electrical gremlins?

Steve

These gensets are designed to be run conventionally as well as command, these symptoms are all over the place.

Theres really no point in fiddling with it Steve. Vision Line items bought at an authorized dealer, carry a 2 year warranty that includes shipping to the main service center in Ohio. Contact Lionel via email on the "service/repair question" heading  at this link. 

http://www.lionel.com/ContactUs/

They will instruct you on sending it in and you'll likely have it back in 2 weeks or less working correctly.

Just an update, after some debate on the Genset's manufacture date, they've accepted it as a warranty repair.

Rick, definitely the right decision to send it in. I realized when I tried it one last time that it wouldn't cycle FWD-NUETRAL-REV either, and it wasn't locked into FWD. The guys in Ohio will take good care of it I'm sure. Funny that I'm originally from the Canfield OH area. Would have been much easier to get serviced.

FWIW to those looking at this thread. Lionel non-warranty service is backlogged until March (at the earliest).

Steve

Got news its shipping back from Canfield. Apparently it was just a crimped wire that I must have missed when I opened the diesel up.

Mike said he ran it ~3 hours conventionally and command with no problems.

Turn around in about a week's time. Not bad at all.

Steve

Got it back and its working in forward direction only.

The DIR button doesn't cycle it through FWD-NEU-REV, what am I missing? I have a small loop setup powered by a CW-80.

RUN/PROG is in the RUN selection.

Steve

Switch the PROG/RUN switch to the RUN position.

If it's already there, try PROG, run it, then try RUN again.

Marty had provided some help in email after this problem, and I finally got around to trying it (birth of second child shortly after this problem arose).

Try the CW80 as I suggested.  Try also just for giggles adding a lighted
car while testing.

So last night I added my MPC aquarium car for grins and it worked just fine with the Vision Genset and another Legacy engine.

What's the logic behind using the lighted car? Will this be something I'll need to be aware of whenever I run conventional under the Christmas tree and not with my end plans of a command Legacy switching layout?

Thanks again.

Steve

How are you changing direction with the CW-80, I have a feeling it isn't dropping voltage enough to cycle the reverse unit.  Adding a lighted fixture helps.  Just the way the electronics in the CW-80 work.  G