More on Loco Shorting

[TrevorMc]

I'm servicing an ageing R052-0560 'Jinty' 0-6-0, closely following service sheet 113 & a very helpful YouTube video. Before, it ran but not very well; on reassembly it wouldn't run at all so I've stripped it back down several times, seeking to track the problem by elimination. The X03 motor runs perfectly right back from stripped bare up to final installation of the power pickups/current collectors slotted through the insulating sleeves to the front & rear right side wheels. Once they're in it does nothing; take them both out and it runs well on the rolling road with one lead connected to the rail or any part of the chassis and the other lead to any part of the positive side from pickup to commutator brush. Fast running out of ideas; anyone come across anything like this? Thanks so much.

[walkingthedog]

Are the wheels round the right way?

[Rana Temporia]

Have you lost the insulating paper strip between the pick up board and the chassis? if you don't put it in the solder tag on the back of the board will contact the chassis causing as short. If it's there are the copper pick-ups touching the chassis? 

[Going Spare]

If the chassis is as per sheet 113, it uses vertical 'sword' pick-ups rather than the traditional version on the chassis bottom.  But the same question still applies if there is a short circuit rather than open circuit - "it does nothing" could be either.

[TrevorMc]

Thanks so much, all. Problem now solved, engine running a treat & lessons learned - read the service sheet more carefully & don't overlook the obvious! The S8397 insulating bushes are there for good reason so it's essential to refit wheels the right way round.........