GP7 - What is happen? My Layout with a big problem!?? 05/23/21

Hello!

Make sure the wheels are clean, as well as the track. 

Please post the maker and model number from the box. It will aid in troubleshooting...

Tom

try removing it from the legacy and reinstall it. Also, can you run it in conventional somewhere and see if it still does it. Just a couple of ideas, second one to see if its a signal problem, and I would do that first

@Krieglok posted:

Hello!

Make sure the wheels are clean, as well as the track. 

Please post the maker and model number from the box. It will aid in troubleshooting...

Tom

Hi, This number is 6-28570 !

Thanks!

@rtraincollector posted:

try removing it from the legacy and reinstall it. Also, can you run it in conventional somewhere and see if it still does it. Just a couple of ideas, second one to see if its a signal problem, and I would do that first

Hi, I did the test and in mode conventional is perfect !

So where I did the test in legacy again I touch an antenna and for my surprise it works !!! 

Please look my video !

I thought in to disassemble every the locomotive for look fail or other problem ! 

follow the antenna wire and see if it may be loose from the mainboard. this is definitely a signal problem

@rtraincollector posted:

follow the antenna wire and see if it may be loose from the mainboard. this is definitely a signal problem

1. The solder joint, wire to the antenna plate, could also be the problem. 

2. You could have a ground plane problem.  The layout, rail part of the signal system, that supplies the signal, could be the problem.  Easy to check with another TMCC engine/unit.  

HEY Leandro ,

Don't know how to help with locating the problem🤔,.......but excellent video on the operation of the problem engine and the subsequent video on how you could make it temporarily work.    We need good videos and engine numbers like your post.

Good luck 🙄

May be a ground plane issue as mentioned above.  Do you have track under the track where your video shows the test.  If you do, move engine to track area where no other track is above or below & test your engine.  If it works ok, you have a ground plane issue.  I had this problem with a couple engines, not all, placed fingers on cab & no problem.  Fix: I installed aluminum foil tape under upper level plywood, problem solved.  You can use aluminum foil also.  Signals get confused when track is over/under another track.  There are other fixes that have been discussed on this forum, but the aluminum foil tape was the easiest fix for me.  Hope this works for you.  

@W&W posted:

May be a ground plane issue as mentioned above.  Do you have track under the track where your video shows the test.  If you do, move engine to track area where no other track is above or below & test your engine.  If it works ok, you have a ground plane issue.  I had this problem with a couple engines, not all, placed fingers on cab & no problem.  Fix: I installed aluminum foil tape under upper level plywood, problem solved.  You can use aluminum foil also.  Signals get confused when track is over/under another track.  There are other fixes that have been discussed on this forum, but the aluminum foil tape was the easiest fix for me.  Hope this works for you.  

 

Relooked you’re first video, appears engine on tracks adjacent to each other.  May be ground plane issue again. 
Test engine on different areas of your layout or test on a track outside your layout.  If it works it is a ground plane issue.  You can lay wire along track also to solve this issue.  Check OGR FORUM for ground plane issues. It’s been discussed numerous times, or someone may comment here.  It’s frustrating, but workable.

Your hand is acting as a ground when you touch the top of your engine.  Below is a diagram from lionel of your wiring. This shows two antenna connections, wonder if switching to other connection would help. 

Also check or replace the batteries in the remote.

@Mike CT posted:

1. The solder joint, wire to the antenna plate, could also be the problem. 

2. You could have a ground plane problem.  The layout, rail part of the signal system, that supplies the signal, could be the problem.  Easy to check with another TMCC engine/unit.  

 

 

Mike

Only this one has a problem. Other locomotives is normal !

Have you eliminated ground plane as the problem????

@W&W posted:

Have you eliminated ground plane as the problem????

Craig !

No yet ! Tomorrow I will check and I will test the locomotive in only flex track !

@Leandro Garcia posted:

Craig !

No yet ! Tomorrow I will check and I will test the locomotive in only flex track !

If engine works on flex track test, I’m thinking you have ground plane issues, which are weird.  Also, if using a power strip, change around positions of plugs for your cab-2, etc.  I’ve found that helps.    Where engine is having problem, if you have aluminum foil, hold a piece between tracks, see what happens.  Good luck.

@Leandro Garcia posted:

Mike

Only this one has a problem. Other locomotives is normal !

 

Not uncommon. Typically a ground plane issue will effect the locomotive with the weakest antenna. This isn't saying theres anything wrong with the locomotive. I.E.  steamers are less likely to have this issue because they have stronger antennas using the long handrails along the boiler.

Heres an informative video done by Mike Reagan about the ground plane issue. Go To the 12:36 mark:

@RickO posted:

Not uncommon. Typically a ground plane issue will effect the locomotive with the weakest antenna. This isn't saying theres anything wrong with the locomotive. I.E.  steamers are less likely to have this issue because they have stronger antennas using the long handrails along the boiler.

Heres an informative video done by Mike Reagan about the ground plane issue. Go To the 12:36 mark:

Agree with RickO, my experience with the ground plane issue only a couple engines had a problem.   You can just hold your hand over the top of engine, not touching, where engine stops and it will start moving.   Dependent on layout, you may have ground plane issue(s) in certain areas or none.  Various solutions fix the problem on each layout, as stated in Mike’s video.   My fix of aluminum foil tape placed on underside of plywood on upper track works.  Did not put directly under track, since track had been installed.  Also, move your command base plug in power strip if used, see if that helps.

@RickO posted:

               I.E.  steamers are less likely to have this issue because they have stronger antennas using the long handrails along the boiler.

 

 

Hey guys ,

Would it be possible to use a jumper wire from the internal antenna connected to the handrails  ( assuming they are metal  ) on the loco shell to help with the issue ?  🤔

Atlas SW9's had a very small antenna piece.  Eventually the antenna was moved, to the roof of the plastic cab, and made much larger.  

TAS (Train America Studio) TMCC upgrade kits had a copper foil, sticky-back, piece that was to be used for the antenna. 

Original TMCC antenna, metal angle plate, lower picture center in front of the Engineer. 

My Atlas GP7 has a stick-backed foil antenna, the last part to be crammed under the shell.  Designed to attach to the top of the plastic engine shell, I left the peal-off on.  It's with the rest of the interesting wire mess.  Works fine. 

Last time I had significant signal problems, all engines, I had done an extensive ballast/ground cover application with diluted white glue.  It took several weeks for the glue to dry.   Signal strength did return