over the recent days, my Lionel 2383 F3 has been slowing gradually to a near crawl at full throttle. I have cleaned the brush plate, brushes, commutators, greased the worm gears on both motors and checked track voltage (getting 16v at full ZW throttle with 2383's on the track). still it's barely moving. Can anyone recomend how to return my 2383 to full power? Thanks
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CMac: Two things come to mind; do you have another transformer you can try with these engines? While I don't have my ZW anymore, 16V at the track sounds ,right low. I would expect voltages up around 19 or 20 from a ZW.
#2; you say you've cleaned brushes, brush plates and commutators, but have you tried some new brushes? Also, how is the spring tension on the brush springs? Be aware some replacement brushes are not the same quality that we used to get from Lionel back in the Postwar period.....
Good luck T/S and let us know what you find.
Had a similar problem with my postwar F3 and replacing the colletor assembly complete with rollers and springs fixed it. I think as they age and wear the pins that secure the rollers loosen and do not conduct the current.
collector
Thank you fellows. I will start with running the engine on another transformer and compare the results. I do have some spare brushes which can always help. and I do notice the collectors on the powered unit are worn while the dummy collector looks new. will swap collectors and see what happens. Thanks again and will keep you posted.
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