More wierdness with the Sunset SPS902 ...

I think this may be an occasional problem for 3rd Rail locos. Continuity tests in a "sterile" environment may not reveal the problem, since it could occur when the tender is in service.

The isolated tender shell as antenna should work well. The secret is to isolate the shell from the frame. So, buy a roll of Kapton tape and some appropriately-sized nylon screws. Tape all around the edges of the frame, making sure that no part of the shell contacts the frame; secure the frame to the shell with nylon screws.

rex desilets posted:

I think this may be an occasional problem for 3rd Rail locos. Continuity tests in a "sterile" environment may not reveal the problem, since it could occur when the tender is in service.

The isolated tender shell as antenna should work well. The secret is to isolate the shell from the frame. So, buy a roll of Kapton tape and some appropriately-sized nylon screws. Tape all around the edges of the frame, making sure that no part of the shell contacts the frame; secure the frame to the shell with nylon screws.

That's the ticket we're gonna punch, Rex.  Got the ingredients and just have to find the time to do it.   These locomotive have great detailing and the older Z-8 has never left the layout.  That said, the smaller ones are lighter pullers being brass instead of cast.

The prices rising faster than a hot air balloon from all the makers has turned the new-stuff-budget into the repair-existing-stuff fund.

Fixing it will be challenging; have to lay down a lot of Kapton tape to isolate the Vanderbuit-bottom tender, as well as around the frame and ends where the shell lies on the frame.

The flying wire antenna will proof the guess it's the antenna for sure.

I can't imagine why it's not liking the whole tender as the antenna, my guess is as it runs you're getting some connection.  Check and see if it's connected to the locomotive and rolling stock that the tender shell is still isolated.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I can't imagine why it's not liking the whole tender as the antenna, my guess is as it runs you're getting some connection.  Check and see if it's connected to the locomotive and rolling stock that the tender shell is still isolated.

My guess is that the trucks are not truly "floated" from the tender, as in intermediate contact. I think you addressed. the 3rd Rail issue before.

Anyway, I have a couple of brass locos (Weaver, 3rd Rail) that display the intermediate loss of signal, which I can "fix" with a "jiggle" of the tender. So, when I get a couple of round tuits I'll get on to the job.

The fact that a "wiggle" of the tender fixes it says it all, something is grounding the antenna signal.

Why not send it back for warranty repair?

Craignor posted:

Why not send it back for warranty repair?

Long out of warranty.  Sent it back when I first received it and nothing changed.  Scott suggested just having Sunset upgrade it.

As we know it's an antenna related problem I'm not giving up yet ... have my rolls of Kapton tape and nylon screws ... :-)

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I can't imagine why it's not liking the whole tender as the antenna, my guess is as it runs you're getting some connection.  Check and see if it's connected to the locomotive and rolling stock that the tender shell is still isolated.

Appears to be isolated by ohm meter ... but there could be a leak somewhere.  Just going to tape it up and try that ...