Need help on MTH 381E problem

I had a similar problem with my Flying Yankee and a MTH 392. In both cases the brushes were the problem. Can you post a picture of the brushes? Steve Eastman was able to replace the brushes with a different type. I will see Steve tomorrow at the Ontario Train Show and ask him to post a response. Mine were both new and did this right out of the box.

Bob

OKHIKER,

Have you traced each wire from the motor to the E-unit? It does seem as if there is a connection problem not a E-unit problem. As they say....That's my two cents.

I just checked the brushes that were replaced and  the problem was the copper braided wire coming out of the brush. It would move and cause the e unit to not work. I would take it apart and bench test it and it would cycle. Then run a few laps great, then sluggish , then no movement. If it has the same design, try moving the braided wire and recheck. I feel your frustration.

Bob

On two of Bob's loco's the problem was the braided tethers on the brushes hanging up on the side of the brush tube. I replaced the brushes with non tethered ones. You could also just cut out the braided tether and use the existing brush and see if it helps.

Steve

Good information.  How are the pickup rollers?  I have seen a lot of tinplate that wear rollers fast.

Also as a note there are MTH E-unit rebuild kits.  I have the finger assemblies in stock if the e-unit fingers are the issue.   G

Guys, thanks for all the great suggestions. GGG, For whatever its worth the pick up rollers are surprisingly pretty well worn and like I mentioned it has only been run sparingly.  Whether or not that's the problem I'll be picking up some new ones. 

Steve and CP BOB, the braided brushes sounds like an interesting possibility.  I will look into that one also.  It would be great if that was the problem because it seems like a very easy fix.

Happy Pappy, I planned to check out the wiring today if I can get to it.  It does seem like there is a short somewhere. 

Train Doctor, If I knew how to bypass the E-unit I would try it but I do not have a clue how to do that.  As you mentioned, perhaps someone will provide the necessary input.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Steve,

       This may seem like a pretty stupid question but when you say cut out the braided tether do you mean just the tether or also the spring which surrounds the tether?  I'm assuming its just the tether because the spring is needed for the tension on the brush.  Let me know if you can. 

GGG,

       Would you happen to have pick up rollers in stock for this particular engine?  As I mentioned mine are very worn and need replacement.  I presume these just pop out of their holders.

Just cut the braid. Pull the braid out until you can get some snips on it at the top of the brush. Does not have to be cut completely flush, but close.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I didn't want to proceed without knowing exactly what to do.  In any event, that will be my second step because the more I tested those worn pick up rollers it became very apparent I wasn't getting good conductivity.  When I touched the alligator clip to the pick up roller's bracket the motor ran smooth and continuously but when attached to the rollers themselves the motor sputtered quite a bit.  If I can get a hold of some decent looking pick rollers I will see if that's the problem and if not I will go on to the braided brushes.

One thing is very apparent though and that is the quality or should I say the lack of quality of the original pick up rollers.   This engine has very little run time but those pick up rollers look like they are fifty years old.  When I hold them in my hand they are really very flimsy and light and it is obvious they will not hold up very well.  Along this line would it be possible to use older Lionel rollers made for the 381E?  There is no question in my mind that the metal used on the pre-war Lionel Standard Gauge pick up rollers was and is far superior to the stuff used in the manufacture of the ones on my engine.

Also, Happy Pappy I traced the wiring from the E-unit back to the motor and it all seemed right.  There were no kinks or split wires so that would not seem to be the problem.   

I will let everyone know how I make out. 

Replacement rollers for the Bild-a-Loco motor are available from several sources. You can get just the roller, the roller in its spring mount, or the entire replacement base plate. Many of the replacement rollers are done in the early Lionel style with the axle machined in one piece with the roller, but this increases wear on the roller holders, which are stamped metal. The kind that is drilled through for the axle is better, but harder to find. 

Southwest Hiawatha,

          Thanks for the response.  Are their any specific sources for these type of parts which are more likely to have the pick up roller assembly available than others?  Up until now virtually all of my parts acquisitions have been for O Gauge parts not Standard Gauge.  Any recommendation would be helpful.

I just wanted to advise all of the people who provided me advice on my 381E problem that the issue has been favorably resolved.  GGG advised checking out the pick up rollers and that turned out to be the culprit.  I picked up an entire older Build a Loco pick up assembly unit with better rollers just so I could have an extra assembly available for parts.  The 381E runs real smooth now.  I obtained the part from Jeff Kane, The Toy Train Tender, who in my opinion is one of the best, if not THE best parts dealer in operation today.  He is patient, helpful, courteous and a remarkably fast shipper.  I ordered the part late Monday afternoon and received it Wednesday morning.  Hurrah for the Toy Train Tender.

Glad you got her fixed. Now go play.

Happy to hear you got it fixed!

Bob

Thanks for the feed back, sorry I did not see this earlier.  I did not have that in stock, just an O gauge Tinplate assembly.

The do see to wear fast.  G

I agree 100%. I do not know how Jeff does it. More than once or twice, I placed my order early one day and received my parts the following afternoon. (I'm in Nor Cal)