Question on a new ERR install...

Many have found other ways to create a chuff switch for this reason. The problem is keeping the trying reed switch in a fixed position relative to the magnet. Make sure the switch is held tight and the wires from it are not being pulled when the truck swivels.

Pete

One of the main reasons, I now go to the Gunrunner's Chuff generator.  Your problem all to common

I add pickups to most installs that only have two locomotive rollers if the rollers aren't widely spaced.

The reed switch and magnets and the issues surrounding them is why I created this product.  Yes, it costs more than the reed switch and magnets, but once it's installed, you should never have to revisit it again.

Chuff-Generator

John, do you have rollers or a phone number and name I could call to get them?  I have a Ross double cross over and this one is absolutely going to need a pick up on the tender.  It also seems like I need to replace the two that are on there now.  I did see continuity with both rollers, but had lots of problems when running (while other locos did not).  I added a couple drops a Neolube to the rollers (conductive oil) and it then ran all the way around the layout only hesitating at the double cross.  I dont want to count on the Neolube though.

Thanks again boys!

You really should consider wiring some relays on the Ross cross-over to solve power problems for all the engines that cross it, that's probably a better solution.

What I do for tenders is to mount a roller on a custom mount unless the trucks are equipped to handle the standard roller parts. Here's a couple of examples of added rollers on tenders.  I end up making the mounts of either Styrene or fiberglass sheet.  I use the MTH BD-0000042 rollers for many of these jobs, they're small and fit between most truck axles.  The mount is just built to raise them to the correct height.

Your Railsounds board should have come with a battery clip. If you have room a battery might solve your problem a whole lot easier than adding rollers or new chuff switch.

Pete

You can add a permanent battery to any Railsounds equipped locomotive. If there is no battery clip, and it's the standard RS-Lite board for TMCC/Legacy, you can still add the battery.

YLB - RailSounds Battery Replacement for standard RailSounds with a battery cable. YLB - RailSounds Battery Replacement (RS-Lite) for RS-Lite boards with no battery cable.

Well again I see its amazing what a person can miss.  I have always heard the battery was only needed if you were running conventional.  I never even bothered connecting the battery clip (the ERR came with it).  I will do that next.

On the rollers, do you have these John or a person and number to call?

They're MTH parts, you should be able to get them through MTH parts.  Looks like they have them in stock, Link: MTH BD-0000042.

Yikes... I ordered 6 and then cancelled when they wanted over $20 just in shipping for 6 rollers.   I'll look elsewhere.

Must be heavy suckers!   The ones I got were a lot lighter.

Lionel has quite a few. Not sure I can tell you which one will work for your application. If you have other Lionel tenders maybe you could look at that engine up and see what they use there. They refer to them as "collector" if you do a search. Lionel shipping is a flat 10 bucks in most cases.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ollector&match=0

Pete

Thanks boys.  I got ahold of a retired guy in my area that used to do repairs.  He happens to have some MTH rollers and I will be going over tomorrow to check on that. 

For the general addition of a pick up roller on the tenders (I have multiple engines I will do this with) do you have a lionel part number for what might work best or just use the term "Collector"?  I am going to be adding this step to all upgrades as I have a large double deck layout with close to sixty turnouts.  I assume I will just need to run this up to the Hot connection on the ERR board yes?  Do I need to add a ground somehow?

Thanks!

For dropping power on switches, I normally just bring center track power over to the extra roller.  Of course, on most ERR installations, I have a 10-pin tether and power and ground coming to the tender, so I just add the roller.

As for what Lionel one works, just look for the collectors, and I usually end up using the smallest one, look for something similar to the MTH BD-0000042 part, because that's the one I've had the best luck squeezing in between axles on my custom mounts.

Once again THanks!

I put new rollers on the C&NW today and ran the entire layout (it takes nearly 20 minutes) with trouble only at one section on the double cross over.  I will work on that track (although I read NO dead spots with a volt meter) before I start making changes to engines. 

Thanks again as the rollers seems to have cleared 99% of the trouble!