Traincliff Posted September 29, 2020 Share Posted September 29, 2020 Hi all.I have just fitted TTS decoders to both my Class 66 locos; "Captain Tom Moore" and "Evening Star". Delighted with decoder performance.However having test run them both on Hornby Rolling Road I feel the drive units especially Captain Tom's are by modern standards a tad noisy. Not yet being familiar with this drive unit I wonder if any one here can give me an idea whether the unit should be opened up and lubricated with oil or a model grease? The noise is like a rub sound with each revolution. I don't think it is affecting performance. It is of course possible that the noise will fade in use.Neither Service Sheet not the instruction sheet mention the drive unit.Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Have you run in the locos, 30 minutes in each direction at a moderate speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 I have class 66 evening star, I don't remember mine being that noisy. The motor is the standard one fitted into the steam locos, I had to take mine apart to remove the motor capacitor that had gone short circuit. I will get it out and see what it sounds like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 I ran my class 66 Evening STar and other than a growl as it starts moving, it is quite quiet. It also goes incredibly fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duke 71000 Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 LUBRICATION OF MECHANISMS.Many modellers come unstuck with lubrication. The biggest fault is adding too much, and in the wrong places ! Another problem is that you need a quality oil suited to 12v DC motors. There are unfortunately a number of unsuitable products on the market, including one made by a well known track manufacturer that are problematic to say the least. I personally use Fleischmann oil as it is specially formulated by Mobil Exxon for model railway locomotives, and I have had no problems with it in over 30 years. Hornby´s current models including most at least of the railroad range now have quality motors. Motor bearings, need just one pinhead sized drop on each bearing. The bearings are where the shaft sticks out of the motor at each end ! Gears whether brass or nylon also need a tiny amount of oil, both on the teeth & the actual mounting shaft. If you apply too much it is simply thrown off as they rotate, and gets to parts that DO NOT need lubrication ! Modern models are no longer "painted", as paint takes too long to dry. They now use specialised types of ink which dry in about 2-3 seconds. These "inks" can be damaged by many types of oil, plastic cement and other liquids, so care must be taken to ensure these products do not reach the "painted" surfaces ! The Duke 71000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 From what he was saying both units are reasonably new, so I doubt they need any lubrication yet. I use that special grease that Peters Spares sells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 I have bought 3 new Loco's and each made a noise of some sort, but after running them in the noises subside.So, before you do anything, run them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traincliff Posted October 1, 2020 Author Share Posted October 1, 2020 Sorry for belated reply but not had opportunity to connect to the forum.Thank you all for your advice. I was not sure whether there were quirks of this mechanism I should be wary of. I think first thing to do now then is a further track based running in period. I am always wary of overlubrication so will not at this stage open up the enclosed motor and gearbox units.Yes these are new locos and noise is not excessive but just a little more than other recently acquired locos. I suspect it won't be heard when I have the sound on and it could be that it was just more noticeable on the rollers set up in front of me. Certainly not socially distanced lol.I will report back in a few days now after a further running in spell. Until then thanks again guys.Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traincliff Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 Still not had chance to give my 2 66s an extended running in turn. Not even managed to get to my shed since my last post but I have not gone away!Keep safe everyone!Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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