Visionline GG-1 arcing feature works when it feels like it...

If I fully understand the electrical connection for the LED's, the pantograph frame itself is the conductor.  Notice there's no wiring involved....the front and rear pan halves serve as the + and - leads.  The fact that your sparking pan electronics is going through it's paces and not always flashing with the coordinated sounds would indicate to me continuity issues due to the dirty mechanical connections.  If I experienced the same with mine, my first line of attack would be to shoot all the pan joints with tuner cleaner, like DeOxit.  Light spritzes followed by numerous workouts of the pans should clean and properly lubricate the mating surfaces.

Bruce

Hi Stirling  /  I have watched both your videos on this issue.  Hope this can work out to get the pantographs to be more reliable.  Good Luck

Gary

Mine has been with Lionel for warranty repairs since it first arrived. I was having pantograph issues and it was running rough. It really has been a disappointment so far. I've owned other vision line engines in the past and had always been happy with them. Hopefully whatever is next for the vision line works out better than the GG1's. 

That looks like it is working fine to me.  Not sure I see what the issue is.  I would run the locomotive and enjoy it.

No, Ray, the rear pan is not functioning correctly.  Each time you hear the arcing sound the LED should light.  I think Bruce may be right, about it being a continuity issue.  I would be leary about shooting Deoxit, or anything else on the pan for fear of getting it on the paint.  The pan can be detached but you will need a 3mm socket; also there are two wires connected to it (LED feeder) which have very little slack.

I know you really don't want to hear this but, you should, probably, send it back to Lionel.  Sorry 

Danr posted:

No, Ray, the rear pan is not functioning correctly.  Each time you hear the arcing sound the LED should light.  I think Bruce may be right, about it being a continuity issue.  I would be leary about shooting Deoxit, or anything else on the pan for fear of getting it on the paint.  The pan can be detached but you will need a 3mm socket; also there are two wires connected to it (LED feeder) which have very little slack.

I know you really don't want to hear this but, you should, probably, send it back to Lionel.  Sorry 

Oh make no mistake I'm going to send it back! I've already emailed Lionel tonight and hope to hear from the this week. If they do not reply by the end of the week I'll be calling them. 

Ray Lombardo posted:

That looks like it is working fine to me.  Not sure I see what the issue is.  I would run the locomotive and enjoy it.

The LED on the rear pantograph on lights after once in a while. It's suppose to flash everytime the sound on the engine plays. Half the time it works, half the time it does not.

Enjoy it? Not after It's been months since I've had it and it's still not working right. Especially with a feature that was suppose to be the key selling feature of the model to begin with. 

Ok.  I believe you but If it were me, I would call Lionel and tell them, but ask if I could keep the locomotive and run it for a while and see what happens.  I suspect that if there is a continuity issue, it may get better as it runs.

Lionel is pretty good about responding to emails but it will be a day or two.  I would just call them, that way you will have an RA and return label by the evening.  I have always found the Lionel customer service reps to be very good.  Just remember it is okay to be frustrated with the product but be nice to the rep.

Good luck.

I read others had a similar issue when they were first released.  If I recall correctly, the pans have tiny screws which hold them together.  If the screws get loose, you can have the problem you are reporting.  I would check the screws in the pan.  You may just need to snug them up a bit.  Not too tight as the pan needs to move at each joint.  I do not own a Vision GG1, so I cannot comment for sure.  Its worth a quick check, and could save you a trip back.

It's always a risk when packing and shipping that you will end up with additional damage. It's worth the DeOxit try, to avoid going through the heartache of more issues. It's probably all they will need to do to fix it for you. It's also a good product to keep around for cleaning pick-up rollers.

Takes the fun out of buying the whole engine doesn't it?

Last locomotive I sent back twice was fixed, however, now it stays on the shelf for fear of breaking it again... ... They are not servicing this one anymore and parts are non-existent.

Danr posted:

Lionel is pretty good about responding to emails but it will be a day or two.  I would just call them, that way you will have an RA and return label by the evening.  I have always found the Lionel customer service reps to be very good.  Just remember it is okay to be frustrated with the product but be nice to the rep.

Good luck.

Of course. It wasn't their fault the problem happened. 

J Daddy posted:

Takes the fun out of buying the whole engine doesn't it?

Last locomotive I sent back twice was fixed, however, now it stays on the shelf for fear of breaking it again... ... They are not servicing this one anymore and parts are non-existent.

Now that's just disappointment if there ever was such a thing...

Sorry to hear the troubles you are having.  I have a JLC version where the motor failed on the front pantograph out of warranty.  I haven't gotten around to fixing yet.  A beautiful model, but the pantographs seem to be the weakness on both the JLC and the Vision Line versions. 

Complexity always adds some level of risk and you have to decide how important the additional complexity is to you. There is something to be said for KISS.

Gerry

Mine seems to be doing OK, it seems MTH has always been the issue here. USA Trains G scale GG-1s have run flawless as well. some Lionel influence in them I think.

I don't own one... but if it was a continuity issue I would apply a wee bit of conductive grease to the pan.  I bought a tube 7 years ago and still have 99% of it.  I use it on micro electronics and automotive 12v systems.

Maybe its my age but when I purchase a product and something just does not seem quite right, or robust enough. I will flip it and walk away. Some items are home runs... others are just waiting for that next open house to take a dump.

J Daddy posted:

Maybe its my age but when I purchase a product and something just does not seem quite right, or robust enough. I will flip it and walk away. Some items are home runs... others are just waiting for that next open house to take a dump.

And just another reason why I don't buy from anyone but Authorized dealer's..............

Train6666 posted:

J Daddy posted:

Maybe its my age but when I purchase a product and something just does not seem quite right, or robust enough. I will flip it and walk away. Some items are home runs... others are just waiting for that next open house to take a dump.

And just another reason why I don't buy from anyone but Authorized dealer's..............

Agreed. Thankfully my dealer is one. Infact I had to get him to talk to Lionel after they wouldn't return my phone calls and emails about getting an RA number for the engine in the first place.  

UPDATE: 

Lionel replied to my email with a shipping label to return the model again. I'll be dropping it off tomorrow so we'll see how long it takes them to repair it this time around and if it gets done properly...fingers crossed. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

Quick video explaining more of my thoughts. The engine went out today, lets hope that it will come back soon and working right. 

brwebster posted:

If I fully understand the electrical connection for the LED's, the pantograph frame itself is the conductor.  Notice there's no wiring involved....the front and rear pan halves serve as the + and - leads.  The fact that your sparking pan electronics is going through it's paces and not always flashing with the coordinated sounds would indicate to me continuity issues due to the dirty mechanical connections.  If I experienced the same with mine, my first line of attack would be to shoot all the pan joints with tuner cleaner, like DeOxit.  Light spritzes followed by numerous workouts of the pans should clean and properly lubricate the mating surfaces.

 

Bruce

I wonder if it's possible to get the JLC GG1's to spark..... I got 5 of them. 

Danr posted:

Lionel is pretty good about responding to emails but it will be a day or two.  I would just call them, that way you will have an RA and return label by the evening.  I have always found the Lionel customer service reps to be very good.  Just remember it is okay to be frustrated with the product but be nice to the rep.

Good luck.

I always call and have an email with an RA# the same day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

Update: GREAT NEWS! 

I just got the GG-1 back yesterday and it's working perfectly now. Left us hope that is is the end of the problem and I can enjoy the engine at last. 

Note: It was back at Lionel for a grand total of 2 weeks this time. THAT's how it should be with these units.