Rail King GG1 Pantographs will lower but not raise

Usually raising is just spring operated, once the block retract.  Are they moving back?  G

I was reluctant to take the shell off.  I removed it tonight after I got home from work and when I lay the shell on it's side, the pantographs work ok.  When it's upright, though, the magnet catches the pantograph when it lowers and the motor is unable to overcome it.  Is there some way to adjust it?  Thanks!

What seems to be happening is that when the pantograph starts to raise the outsides of the folded pantograph push up which pushes the center down just enough that it contacts the magnet and "latches".   

Top suspect with the pantographs is the drive belts.  They stretch and don't have the necessary drive to run the mechanism. 

Your description that they're folding back is one I've never seen.  Maybe a video?

I have not seen one with magnet.  Can you shoot pictures?   G

Sorry, that's my fault.  There's a circular metal piece at the base of the pantograph that appears to be a magnet.  It isn't.  The way the pantograph "clicks" into place when it latches had me thinking it was a magnet.  

John, you may be onto something with the belts.  I noticed they are extremely loose and wondered if that were normal.  Looks like I need to see if I can get replacements from MTH.  I really appreciate the help from you both.  

The MTH part number ids EG-3000000, but you can also find a compatible rubber "belt" O-ring locally at Home Depot or Harbor Freight.  I have a O-ring assortment from Harbor Freight, and I found the perfect size in there to fix a couple of these.  When I needed them, MTH didn't have them, don't know if they do now.

Hi, John

I´ve got two Little John and and it is always good to have these O-ring, as  spare parts

So, Could you tell me which is the diameter and the thickness of it, pls?

Regards

A.C.Sant Anna

The MTH belts are 1" exactly outside diameter and 2mm thickness.

The replacements that I used were .9" outside diameter and 3mm thickness.

The replacements worked just as good as the MTH belts.

Hi, John

Thanks for the reply.

I´ll try to buy here in Brazil. I beleive will be possible.

regards

A.C.Sant Anna

Well, yes, that does present a different challenge.   I didn't consider another country, but I'm sure something similar is available.

Hi, John

I will seek here, and keep you informed.

Regards

A.C.Sant Anna

Take the belt off and measure.  They are not the same, they have several different size belts depending on the model.  The EG-3000000 which is for the LJ is 2mmx21.5mm.  Even US auto stores have metric O-rings, so that is where I get them. 

Dave, In your case it is not the belt.  The belt is under load when lowering panto and has to work against the spring.  When going up the spring assist and even a loose belt would work.  Since yours come down, but don't go up the issue is not a belt.  If it is pulling down so tight that it can relatch the panto that is plenty tight.  You could go in and redo the string so that it doesn't pull the blocks so tight to latch the panto.  Or, you adjust the panto if possible so it does not latch. (bend the operating lever carefully).  G

Hi, GGG

Thanks for the information.

Regarding your comment, I believe that the best solution is to try to find a  ring nearest of the measures that you and John has indicated tor me.

Next week, I will look in the local market and I´ll keep you guys informed.

Regards

A.C.Sant Anna

Hi, GGG

Thanks for the information.

Regarding your comment, I believe that the best solution is to try to find a  ring nearest of the measures that you and John has indicated to me.

Next week, I will look in the local market and I´ll keep you guys informed.

Regards

A.C.Sant Anna

FWIW George, I had one that wouldn't go up because of a bad belt.  It was so loose that it slipped and wouldn't move the mechanism in that direction.  It did manage to pull the pantograph down, so never say never.   I know the belts should appear loose.  The pans latching, at least for me, were the lever needed to be tweaked so they didn't come down so far.

Thanks for sticking with this, John and George.  I replaced both the belts.  I had to replace a storm door today so I matched up what was on there with a #67 o-ring from Home Depot, and yes, still no joy.  I think it's definitely a case of having to adjust so that they don't come down so far.  I think I finally saw the lever in question tonight while testing the new o-rings.  I think tonight we'll take a break and just run it.  Pantograph teething problems aside, this really is a sweet locomotive.  

gunrunnerjohn posted:

FWIW George, I had one that wouldn't go up because of a bad belt.  It was so loose that it slipped and wouldn't move the mechanism in that direction.  It did manage to pull the pantograph down, so never say never.   I know the belts should appear loose.  The pans latching, at least for me, were the lever needed to be tweaked so they didn't come down so far.

I am pressing the do not believe button, at least on the block style versions.  There are gear versions that might apply.  Too loose to let the spring pull it up, but not loose enough to pull against a spring and retract?  I have never seen that one.  Just seems to defy physics.  G

I had a problem with pantographs before. I wasn't sure of the direction But George " GGG" helped me out with info and it was the pcb board that operated the pantographs. They would only go in one direction. Maybe the spring that pulls the pantograph back up are stretched out and are not making the wiper not going hi enough.

Well, I tried to adjust the operating levers, but now the motors only run in one direction.  Down.  In auto or manual.  I think I'm ready to throw in the towel.  

Wire break off the harness for the Panto PCB?  G

Nothing obvious, unfortunately.  Everything appears as it did. 

Update:  I ordered the pantograph control board from MTH yesterday and was very surprised to receive it in the mail today.  The motors once again work in both directions, and the rear pantograph actually goes both up and down.  The front still latches when it comes down.  Obviously, my adjustment to the operating lever was a success for the rear pantograph but less so for the front.  And I guess I damaged the old board in the process (not sure how that was possible).   I'm too scared to mess it with it any more for now.  

GGG is the man. Always offering help.

Despite my vow not to, I opened it up again last night and bent the operating levers on the front just a little further.  I now have two working pantographs!  Thanks everyone for the help.  I really appreciate it. 

Great news.  G