Clagsniffer

So, I’ve finally got round to do some testing with the decent Fluke 179 multimeter and this is what I’ve found: voltage on the UTP panel going to the track is 12.87v resistance from UTP panel to the rails is 0.3ohms on each cable. resistance from the UTP track connections to the furthest point on the layout was 0.4-0.6ohms when running the Heljan 47 on its own, the track voltage reduced to 11.7volts when running the Heljan 47 with a Bachmann 37 track voltage reduced even further to 11.1volts. Does this point to the Heljan dragging voltage/power down?

Again, many thanks for all the responses so far. I’ve been out on call all day today, but I’m hoping to get back in the garage for further investigations tomorrow. I will report back on anything I find.

Hi everyone, apologies for the delay in replying. It’s been a god awful day at work! I’m on call all weekend so might not get to have another look until Monday night. I have got a lend of a good fluke multimeter so I will do some more voltage tests with that. With regards to the question of droppers, I have these on every single piece of track, I’ve got my frogs switched through a micro switch to eliminate relying on switch blades. On the long sections of track I have got two sets of droppers. Hope that clears things up a bit.

The power into the PCP panel is 13.8V dc from the power supply. I then test track voltage on AC setting of my multimeter via the Track terminals on the PCP panel which comes at 2.4V AC. Power supply voltage. Track voltage Locos are definitely running, maybe my multimeter is dodgy? The 8 pin decoders in the locos are either gaugemaster omni BPDCC29 or Hattons originals. The 21 pin decoders in the Bachmann locos are Hattons originals.

Ok so I’ve been in the garage for a couple of hours and my findings are as follows; Firstly the power supply supplied with my system has an output of 1.5A. Track voltage with nothing on it was measure with my multi meter on AC range as suggested and I got a reading of 2.7volts, I’ve no idea if this is right? I then measured voltages at different stages with a mix of locos operating and the lowest I saw it go was 2.3volts. I also measured the resistance of each rail from the command station to the furthest away point on the layout and both measured at 0.8ohms. Next I did some tests on individual locos and the results I got were as follows; Bachmann 37 (with cab lights and headlights) stationary was pulling 0.04amps. Running it was pulling 0.16-0.18amps. Heljan 47 (with headlights) stationary was pulling 0.04amps. Running it was pulling between 0.16-0.37amps. I did notice that this loco did not move until speed step 15. Hornby class 56 (with headlights) stationary was 0.01amps. Running it was pulling 0.09-0.11amps. Bachmann class 47 (with headlights and cab lights) stationary was pulling 0.03amps. Running it was pulling 0.08-0.21amps. Quite a range? The next test involved running the problem 47 with another loco and I took lap times, averaged out over 5 laps. The 47 on its own was averaging 25 seconds. The 47 running with the Hornby 56 then averaged 27 seconds. Definitely slowed down. I timed the 56 on its own and then with the 47 and it was a consistent 30 seconds, no change in lap time. I made sure that the speeds for each test were the same. During all of this testing I never saw the current on my cab go anywhere near 1 amp, I think the highest I saw it was 0.8 amps. So after all that I’m not really any the wiser other than the problem seems to be with the Heljan 47’s. They’re fine on their own but slow down when running with any other locos.

Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it. First thing I’ll do tonight is check my power supply. I’ll then go through my loco roster and not down their power usage. I’ll then then go through the wiring. I did notice when I took all my locos off the track the power cab was still saying there was 0.26a usage. I did have 3 Bachmann Pullman coaches on the track so must have been the coach lighting.

Will the people who returned their models for refunds have the opportunity to reorder the correct length wagons? Thanks.

I don’t have any current limiters, it’s literally the track output from the nce panel connected to my bus. I had a Hornby 56 and a Bachmann 37 happily running together the other day. However now I think of it, I did have an older Bachmann deltic running with another loco and seem to to think that slowed down when the second loco started. Could it be that it’s just two power hungry older locos? I’ll do some more running tests tomorrow night and note the current draws of the locos running on their own. I’ll report back with my findings.

It’s all a bit strange. It runs happily at decent speed on its own but then slows down when I start a second loco, which in this instance was a Bachmann 37, so it’s not like I’m running two power hungry Heljans. Doesn’t seem to make a difference where it is on the layout either. I’d happily just buy a booster but can’t really afford to fork out another £200 just to run two locos.

Thanks for the quick replies chaps much appreciated. I’m not entirely sure what size wire I’ve used for the bus, I think it’s 32/0.2? It’s on a roundy roundy around my garage, roughly 16ft x 8ft. I’ve used the same gauge wire to link the command station to the bus. As for the power supply I’m not sure about that either without checking, I’ve just used what comes supplied with the NCE power cab starter set. Looking at the blurb it’s supposed to be a 1.5 amp system so surely that could handle 0.86amps? Thanks again.

After finishing laying all my track for my layout I have started running in all of my locos. This evening I started with a Heljan 47. After I fitted a decoder I set it off doing circuits which it happily did, no issues. I then chipped another loco and as I set this one away the Heljan 47 slowed down. I stopped the second loco and the 47 gained speed again. I checked the power usage with my power cab and it was reading 0.86 amps with both locos running. I have droppers on every piece of track and have cleaned the locos wheels and dabbed some oil on the gears. What else could be slowing the 47 down? It’s the only loco to have shown this problem so far, I’m a bit puzzled. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, I’ve just finished installing around 27 of the twist lock point motors, and I’m using the attached micro switches for changing the frog polarity. However I’m having a bit of trouble with random shorts that is traced back to the frog not switching. I’ve checked the soldered connections that I’ve attached and checked the connections of the dropper wires etc and they all seem fine. If I operate the point a few times they will all of a sudden start switching properly again. I used the template that comes with the motors and have fitted them as instructed. My initial thought was maybe the hole for the operating pin was slightly too small or I had perhaps drilled the hole slightly off centre, so I removed the motor from the baseboard and bench tested it and still got the random “non switching” and that was on both of the micro switches that come with the motor. Has anyone else had similar issues? I’m getting to the point where I don’t really trust them anymore and keep my fingers crossed when running my locos through the points, not a great situation. I might even resort to using something like a gauge master auto frog if the fault persists. Cheers.

Just tried emailing Brian, but it is getting bounced back as “address not found”. Also tried phoning but never get through. Is anyone else having trouble?

Thanks for that info, I appreciate the update. I appreciate you have lots going on all the difficulties the current situation is causing. I’ll leave it until the end of play tomorrow and get in touch then if I’ve not heard anything. Cheers.

I ordered a fair few loads on the 5/3/21 with all items showing as in stock, but haven’t heard anything since. Is there a big backlog on these? Just getting slightly concerned there’s been an issue with my order. Cheers.

Good to know I’m not the only one that has those days! Got a 3 way point to look forward to tomorrow Cheers.

C14561 is a great picture at Tyne yard, a good reference for weathering a BR blue loco. I wonder what happened to the poor tippler that looks abandoned trackside behind the loco, looks like an engineers wagon with slots cut in the sides? Thanks for posting.

Today has been one of those days where I’ve been tearing my hair out, uttered every curse under the sun and had a few tantrums! I’ve been making good progress on my layout, I’ve fitted 25 PECO twist lock point motors and wired all my droppers etc. Then I hit a huge brick wall when I came to wire up my electrofrog double slip. I studied various websites and on RMWeb and eventually got my head around it, once I’d figured out the frogs being wired to the opposite switch etc. Wired it all up and just got short circuits, but random shorts. Every time I switched it was something different. I tried swapping wires over etc and made no difference. Then as I was storming out of the garage I just happened to notice my roll of solder that was nicely bridging the tracks!!!! As soon as I shifted it all was well and it was working as it should. I’ve literally been at it all afternoon! I’m both chuffed and annoyed in equal measures. So it’s been one of those days I guess. We all have them right? Please say it’s not just me! Time to sit down with a nice chilled bottle of Thatchers Old Rascal cider........maybe even two bottles .

Nice job on the GNER livery, will make a lovely set. You didn’t by any chance squire this rake on eBay around September time? I sold mine on reluctantly with the same 6 coaches, 91 and DVT, would be interesting to see where it ended up! If I remember rightly I think the set I sold went for £80 which I thought was cheap. Regards Rich.

Looks like 6 holes on the bogies

I think you’re forgetting that some people don’t have the time for scratch building or kit building. Having a ready to run product available for those precious few hours of spare time is a god send so they can sit back and relax and run trains.

But if you don’t know the data and/or don’t know where to find the data should you really be doing a review at all? If you don’t even know what a basic dimension such as length should be how can you possibly be in a position to review?

After much deliberation I’ve decided to return my rake of wagons. I thought long and hard if I could justify keeping them, but at the price I’ve paid I just can’t. I do have sympathy for Footplate, and I hope they can get over this situation. It’s a strange situation in a way because I, like a lot of people, was happy with them as I unpacked them, they looked great. If it wasn’t for seeing the comparison pictures on here I may never have noticed. But now I’ve seen the error I just can’t look at them the same way. Sad situation all round.

I thought we might have heard something from @Richard Barnett by now?

Would be nice to hear the thoughts from the manufacturer on this. I think I’ll be contacting them in the morning regarding a return, it’s one of them things that I just can’t un-see.