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I'm really stuck on this one, I can't get the fan to work on this for anything. I've had speed and sound issues with this engine since day one. I pulled the smoke unit to replace the batting, now I can't get the fan to work and I replaced the fan motor with two new ones and no joy with either. I tested both before I put them in the engine and they worked via a 9v battery so yes, they work. In the process of replacing the fan, both heat element wires broke but I resoldered them and the heat works so smoke is produced just no fan. Before I messed with it, the fan worked fine, now I can't get it to work. Maybe, when I soldered the element wires, I shorted a trace or something? Any ideas? When I was testing it, I was using conventional via MRC pure power dual but I typically use DCS.

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Last edited by Trainlover9943
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I'd clean this up as well, that's a short circuit and a cooked heater FET just waiting to happen!  Also, that wire is barely handing on to the connection anyway, it's very likely it could come loose.  If it shorts to the frame, bad things usually follow!

I'd agree. Also check the solder job on the fan motor. That looks a little subject as well. If you have a multi meter I'd check for continuity from the fan motor terminals to the spring contacts as well. If the springs aren't making good contact with the pad I've had luck removing the springs and stretching them a little bit to lengthen them for better contact.

@Lou1985 posted:

I'd agree. Also check the solder job on the fan motor. That looks a little subject as well. If you have a multi meter I'd check for continuity from the fan motor terminals to the spring contacts as well. If the springs aren't making good contact with the pad I've had luck removing the springs and stretching them a little bit to lengthen them for better contact.

I check the fan leads, there's continuity with the springs.

@Lou1985 posted:

Is the only connection to the boiler those pads for the smoke unit? If continuity to the pads checks out check for voltage at the pads with the locomotive powered up and smoke on.

The smoke fan and heater are on one pad, the headlight is on the other. Left springs are the fan, middle is the heater, right is the headlight.

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Last edited by Trainlover9943

How can I check since the spring pads need to make contact with the little board to get power. I have a meter.

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By "voltage going to the motor" I mean from the PS electronics.  So this would be the voltage between whichever 2 pads in above photo mate to the 2 springs going to the motor terminals.  As you know as long as smoke is turned on the fan runs even when the engine is idle (not moving). 

And since you have some spare known-good motors...and know which end of the soldering iron to hold...you could also tack on a couple wires to a spare motor and touch them to the 2 fan motor pads.  If you get no joy, then my guess is a damaged fan transistor.  These transistors are inexpensive but replacement requires soldering finesse and the eyesight of a teenager.

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Still nothing. Voltage is getting to the pads. I guess. I tried a spare motor on the middle pad, it did buzz, then I took it off. I tried on the pad closest to the front too but when I touched it, the engine shut off and started up in conventional. So, who knows what going on with this.

Not sure I understand what you mean by middle pad (singular) or pad (singular) closest to front?

pad

My best guess based on your measurements and your previous photos is as above.

The fan motor voltage is on the two pads as shown.  That is, the green and gray wires going to these two pads come from the PS electronics.  And then after going thru the two springs, one sees green and gray wire colors going to the fan motor.

Likewise, I believe the heater voltage is on the two pads as shown.  Again, the purple and brown wires going to these two pads come from the PS electronics.  And then after going thru the two springs, one sees purple and brown wire colors going to the heater elements.

Then by process of elimination, the two middle pads must be the headlight voltage.

I can't explain why the engine shutdown and restarted if you carefully touched the two wires from a spare motor to the two right pads (FAN+ and FAN-).  3.8V DC is a "good" voltage for the fan motor.  Perhaps try it again with extra attention to a potential stray strands of wire or whatever.  That is, if attaching a fan motor to these two pads causes such a reaction, how can it work when you mate the spring connectors which also attaches a fan motor to these two pads?!

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  • pad
@stan2004 posted:

Not sure I understand what you mean by middle pad (singular) or pad (singular) closest to front?

pad

My best guess based on your measurements and your previous photos is as above.

The fan motor voltage is on the two pads as shown.  That is, the green and gray wires going to these two pads come from the PS electronics.  And then after going thru the two springs, one sees green and gray wire colors going to the fan motor.

Likewise, I believe the heater voltage is on the two pads as shown.  Again, the purple and brown wires going to these two pads come from the PS electronics.  And then after going thru the two springs, one sees purple and brown wire colors going to the heater elements.

Then by process of elimination, the two middle pads must be the headlight voltage.

I can't explain why the engine shutdown and restarted if you carefully touched the two wires from a spare motor to the two right pads (FAN+ and FAN-).  3.8V DC is a "good" voltage for the fan motor.  Perhaps try it again with extra attention to a potential stray strands of wire or whatever.  That is, if attaching a fan motor to these two pads causes such a reaction, how can it work when you mate the spring connectors which also attaches a fan motor to these two pads?!

I agree, the ones on the right are definitely for the smoke unit. I'm not sure what to do at this point. With your idea in mind I'll try the fan again and see if I can get it to spin.

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