Loose gear LC+ RS3

SeanG posted:

Thanks for the all responses I really appreciate it.

I have an update, but unfortunately I am not any further along with this; I called over to Charles Ro before visiting, it is $60/hour plus parts for a repair.

Now I bought this engine in 2014 for 269.99 (plus MA state tax). At those rates, it won't be long before I turn a $269 engine into a $400+ engine! 

So I'm stuck for now, I am afraid. Maybe I will see another LC+ RS3 being sold for parts sometime.

Thanks again everybody.

I think you can buy a pair of replacement trucks for that engine for that price. Maybe even get the updated ones. They aren't that hard to replace. Much easier than a scale engine.

Pete

Since this seems to be a pandemic, I wonder if NorthWest Short Line possibly has or could design a suitable replacement/upgrade?

https://nwsl.com/

Order Inquiries: sales@nwsl.com

Technical Support: tech@nwsl.com

SeanG posted:

So I'm stuck for now, I am afraid. Maybe I will see another LC+ RS3 being sold for parts sometime.

I'd think about Pete's suggestion, any one of these being sold for parts probably has the same problem!

Thanks Pete  - do have you a link please?

This appears to show a truck with the brass drive gear. You would need the truck and gear assembly. Item 1 and item 8 in this link. Too bad you missed the half price sale. You could have gotten the pair for around 60 bucks.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...3f-9901-63fd7c3bc9b0

Pete

Remember, you will need to replace both power trucks so that they match if you use an alternate setup like what Pete is suggesting.

Thanks Pete.

And thanks BMoran4 for pointing that out, I thought I might only have to get one of each and I was off to the races!

They have half price sales from time-to-time you say? I might wait for the next one. I'm a Red Sox fan, I've learned to be patient!

Unfortunately you just missed the 1/2 price sale.  They don't have another till Nov 2020.  

Thanks Train Nut. Certainly not the first time I've had to "wait till next year", I will get that RS3 to run again at a future date.

For now I do have other locos to enjoy.

Kind of a letdown though, to learn the LC+ is not all that. Although it is my fault for buying into the "dual maintenance-free motors" feature, I should have known that was too good to be true!

The gear is not cracked, is it? Just loose on the shaft? Before investing money, I would try the Tite-Loc that I already suggested.

Well this is encouraging, I at least got it moving again!

To answer Chucks question, I took the rear truck apart to see if the gear is intact or not and it appears to be okay. I put the truck back together, and the RS3 is going, but reverse only! 

And if I didn't specify earlier, I apologize, but it is the front truck that lost the gear. 

Halfway there!

You could remove the gear and run it as a one-motor unit until you get the new trucks.  I'd disconnect the motor as well.

Thanks John, I think I will.

This strengthens my resolve!

I don't consider myself very mechanical, but I am learning that is an unwritten requirement for this hobby. I'm getting there and I have learned a lot by going through this.

Here is a question, on the front motor, why is that top piece not attached to anything? It comes right off! But I know my LC+ GP7, it's the same thing.

Please see attached to see what I'm getting at, thanks.

That is a flywheel - think of it like a mechanical capacitor. It allows for smoother operation of the motor and therefore the locomotive. Its only interface is the armature of the motor. (On some advanced models, there will be a stripped tape that is read by an optical sensor to get an actual tachometer reading)

Gotcha, thanks BMoran.

The flywheel shouldn't "lift off", it's pressed on the shaft.  If it's loose, that's not good.

Oh that flywheel lifts right off, two units of mine do that.

Well, the flywheel should NOT "lift right off", it's pointless to have it if it's freely slipping on the shaft!

I see hundreds of motors a year crossing my workbench, if the flywheel on any of them "lifts right off", I fix it!

I don't disagree, this is what I got. Please see link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1W5w87XqZjdbaM1b8

I had that center gear strip a couple of teeth, and went through the same gyrations that you are facing.  Two things:  -  the original trucks (2015-16) have plastic center gears.  The newer metal ones are brass, but blackened, and LOOK like the plastic ones;  so you have to tap on them to see if they are metal or plastic.

- the newer ones (current part number trucks where the plastic gear ones are shown as "No Longer Available") are a different gear ratio than the originals, run slower.  So you have to replace them in pairs as an earlier response indicated.

Finally,  I was successful in getting a "parts locomotive" for a good price from a person on this site.  AFTER I had ordered a set of trucks (of course).  But I got that one running too, and now have two RS-3s.

Thanks Mike.

I do want to restore this engine to service, and getting it going in reverse only is a big step in that direction! But it's not my only loco, so I can be a little pragmatic and wait for the ideal economic situation to present itself. Another half off sale, a parts loco, it will bear out.   

Chuck,

The gear is indeed cracked. Is Loctite still an option?

Attached.

A split gear will be problematic no matter what you do, time to put this one in it's proper place, the round file.  Wait for the new trucks, trying to use a split gear is a waste of time, and I've wasted lots of time trying!

The gear is shot. I see some distortion of the teeth by the crack and Loc-Tite won't fix that. The only option is replace the truck. The little speed variance between the 2 will be minimal and won't have much effect on running.

And the tribe has spoken, new trucks it is. 

Thanks again everyone. 

Unfortunately, I don't have one of these engines or gears, otherwise I'd check with these guys on seeing what they have to offer

bmoran4 posted:

Since this seems to be a pandemic, I wonder if NorthWest Short Line possibly has or could design a suitable replacement/upgrade?

https://nwsl.com/

Order Inquiries: sales@nwsl.com

Technical Support: tech@nwsl.com

This would take some research but Stock Drive Parts will have a gear. I have gotten gears from them but its not easy matching what you have. You can get close enough by counting the number of teeth and measuring outer diameter. Get one with a hole smaller than what you have and drill to fit.

https://www.sdp-si.com/products/Gears/Index.php

Pete

I’d buy an RS-3 IF it had ALCo trucks!

Jon  

Measure the diameter of your gear. If it is 1/2 inch. .468'' to be exact, center hole .141" Part number 600-8010-117. I have a replacement gear. Have another one, 610-8501-117 that is only .002" larger, same size hole. This one is white and list available North Lima Trainworks by Lionel. The first one 8010-117 is black and available from Lionel. $3.00. Contact me and I can send you one. $3.00 shipped. 

Forest, here is what I got.

But I can spare the 3 bucks! It's no big deal if it doesn't work out, that only sets me back a medium coffee!

Can we use Paypal please?

If it has the same number of teeth, it might work.

That's a "well used" tape measure you're using, looks like the end is about to rust off!

Thanks John! Yeah, it's been with me a while now, good eye!

In the interim, I gave my GP7 the ore hauling job, I got a RR to run.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

If it has the same number of teeth, it might work.

That's a "well used" tape measure you're using, looks like the end is about to rust off!

I counted the teeth on the gear he posted. 17 teeth. Both of the ones I have 17 teeth. It all comes down to the center hole.

SeanG posted:

Forest, here is what I got.

But I can spare the 3 bucks! It's no big deal if it doesn't work out, that only sets me back a medium coffee!

Can we use Paypal please?

Email me. Paypal should work. Edit: I got your E-mail. A response is waiting.

I wonder if the loose flywheel contributed to your shot gear?  

Jon  

I just sent payment and shipping info, we're doing this!

Thanks again.

SeanG posted:

I just sent payment and shipping info, we're doing this!

Thanks again.

I got the payment. I was running around all day promoting our annual RR Club Open House and failed to make it to the Post Office in time. I will get it out in the morning.

Forest.

I’ve been following this post for a while and I just have to say how awesome it is to see a bunch of guys come together to solve an issue. To most people they would be, like oh well it’s broke, that’s crummy, and bash away. But here, although it is not the best design, everyone just pulls together to get this loco back on the roster. So cool to be involved with a great group of fellow railroaders.

Kudos!

Well put JDFONZ, I feel the same.

I'm honored to be a recipient of all this help, thank you to everyone for reading and posting. I am somewhat new to the hobby (been at it since 2013) and this forum has been a tremendous resource for help, guidance, some good-natured humor and a general sense of camaraderie.

Thanks again.