The two locos I have that are the source of my problems are both Fleischmann. One is a BR89, the other a BR70.
Both are small locos with each utilising the same type of motor (Photo of same design motor, but not the actual ones I have):
The first loco that went up in smoke was DCC ready (The BR70), which was fitted with a Gaugemaster chip (This was a 90 degree bend 6 x pin version).
The second to go (The BR89) was hard wired by me with a replacement LED bulb for the front and a Lokommander 2 micro chip. It has no rear facing light.
The gaugemaster chip is dead and was the one that got so hot it emitted smoke, whereas the Lokommander one is fine.
I swapped out the burned gaugemaster chip for a Lokpilot model which is what simply gave the flashing 'on and off' front light. Not sure if this is 'code' for anything. In any case, it became apparent the motor was faulty.
I have tried swapping out one of the motors (In the BR89) for a coreless one and although this works it makes a horrible grinding sound. This believe is most likely down to the gears not meshing properly.
There appears to be a similarity between the two locos in regards to the original open frame motor type and the demise of said motors when used with DCC. Not right away, but after be stored for a little while the same thing happened - dead motor.
Finding replacements for these is not proving easy, and even if I did find them will the same problem occur?
Another point is that the Gaugemaster chip was the one that was smoking. I thought about posting pics of the locos, but honestly they both look absolutely fine. There's no insulation broken or melted. The motors look fine too. However, I took the body off one of the locos and put it on the track. The motor jerked a little, then quite literally glowed like a light bulb. Still no sign of any actual damage though.
If anyone can advise me, in non too technical terms, how to test for current draw, stall measurements and the like, I'd be grateful. I've tried looking it up on line, however people tend to talk about these things as if we all know how to do it already! I am self taught and rely on forums and youtube etc to build my knowledge. As such I very much appreciate any and all help offered by my more learned fellow hobbyists. :)
Happy Christmas everyone.