LGB Trackcleaner

[Clive]

Without doubt, the work-horse of my line is the LGB yellow trackcleaner - fully digitalised. It has developed a fault. In track-cleaning mode, the cleaning wheels start to drive the loco backwards. Sometimes it will advance but reluctantly and very slowly eventually preferring to go backwards.

Any ideas as to why please? How can I cure this?

 

[stockers]

The cleaning wheels are out gripping the loco drive wheels. I have found moisture will effect this. You could try a new set of rubber wheels - they are ebout £15.
Some people add weight to the loco to reduce this tendency (Dont add weight to the cleaning end though.)

 

[nicebutdim]

Or swap the leads to the cleaning motor, makes it pull the same way as the drive wheels. Takes minutes to do and not permanant. Take out the two screws to the cleaning motor block, pull it out, and swap the leads.

 

[shropshire lad]

Does swapping the cleaning rotation affect the effectiveness of it's cleaning? Wondering because mine spins to a standstill regularly at the first sign of a gradient

 

[yb281]

Does swapping the cleaning rotation affect the effectiveness of it's cleaning? Wondering because mine spins to a standstill regularly at the first sign of a gradient

Yes, surely the whole idea is that the cleaning wheels revolve against the direction of travel. How would they clean the track if they rotate in the same direction??

 

[Cliff George]

Have you replaced the cleaning wheels recently?

 

[shropshire lad]

I thought that would be the caswe but nicebutdim recommended it in the post above my question. I couldn't quote his post as the server kept on timing out on me

 

[nicebutdim]

The cleaning wheels spin faster than the driving wheels. I takes one or two extra passes to give the same cleaning as original. You adjust the speed of the cleaning wheels so they spin a little quicker. The only real drawback is the c**p gets thrown back at the base of the loco, but that brushes off easy.

 

[Steve]

Does swapping the cleaning rotation affect the effectiveness of it's cleaning? Wondering because mine spins to a standstill regularly at the first sign of a gradient

I have gradients on my line and the track cleaner works very well ( Only on dry track) how bad are your gradients ?

 

[nicebutdim]

Reversing the direction of the cleaner also reduces the bouncing. Give it a go, it's not a drastic change, it's a reversible mod and you'll find you can actually pull stock while cleaning too. I have a maintenance train that I operate while cleaning. I think some people also put the cleaning blocks under wagons behind the cleaner.

 

[shropshire lad]

Does swapping the cleaning rotation affect the effectiveness of it's cleaning? Wondering because mine spins to a standstill regularly at the first sign of a gradient

I have gradients on my line and the track cleaner works very well ( Only on dry track) how bad are your gradients ?

I don't think they are that steep Steve but geometry isn't my strong point
I think I need to have a play with it and maybe put a little more weight over the driving wheels
Colin

 

[nicebutdim]

Weight over the driving wheels is ok, but don't be tempted to increase the weight on the cleaning wheels!

 

[shropshire lad]

I'll have a play when I get chance,I think it's just me getting used to how it works best to be honest.
I'm fairly impressed with it so far and it certainly shows up anywhere with power supply problems!

 

[yb281]

I've just broken one of the screws that hold the cleaning wheels in place. I'd be willing to pay for a replacement if anyone has one?

 

[stevedenver]

i second all that nice but dim has said about reversing the direction of the cleaning wheels and the results-

-if you do this simple thing you wont need extra weight
if you simply give it a try , youll determine things for yourself

having done it myself- i find it better suited to many situations
its basically frontwheel drive thru the points, added traction on the grades and on wet or track covered with sap ,etc-
teh cleaning is reduced only minimally-(well within the parameters of cleaning results simply using the speed control on the roof and normal rotation)

i tend to run mine medium speed most of the time-and make multiple passes if needed, the cleaning wheels need high voltage-say 20- 22+ for best operation, the loco speed should accordingly be adjusted-at this voltage they are spinning plenty fast for cleaning regardless of direction of travel

one tip that is very important-probably with all LGB -but i know with the cleaning loco
avoid voltage spikes
and
never leave it unattended or take your eyes off it when cleaning-while 99% releiable-they do occasionaly stall or climb the rail, etc

 

[nicebutdim]

never leave it unattended or take your eyes off it when cleaning-while 99% releiable-they do occasionaly stall or climb the rail, etc

I 100% back that up, only the other day I left mine cleaning whilst pulling a couple of wagons. One of the wagons has a coupler that has dropped, and this caught on a track contact. This stopped the whole train, but the cleaner carried on grinding away and by the time I realised what had happened and got to it the cleaner had ground a couple of notches into the railhead! :thumbdown:

 

[Round n Round]

It has developed a fault. In track-cleaning mode, the cleaning wheels start to drive the loco backwards. Sometimes it will advance but reluctantly and very slowly eventually preferring to go backwards.

Clive, I had exactly the same problem.
It is worth giving Mike a PM, if only to ask what he did with mine.
He fixed it but I'm not sure how.
I think it was something to do with the circuit board needing resetting due I think to a power surge.
He did say he had not met that problem before but what ever he did it worked.
I would think it is worth investigating, so it works as it is intended to,
before you try adding weight or reversing wires.

 

[mike]

the chip had been spiked trever, i re programmed the chip to its origianal setting..(copied my trackcleaners programming, then programed trevers the same) replasced blown bulbs.. result, a mate for life

 

[Round n Round]

the chip had been spiked trever, i re programmed the chip to its origianal setting..(copied my trackcleaners programming, then programed trevers the same) replasced blown bulbs.. result, a mate for life

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love: indeed

 

[mike]

the chip had been spiked trever, i re programmed the chip to its origianal setting..(copied my trackcleaners programming, then programed trevers the same) replasced blown bulbs.. result, a mate for life

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love: indeed

oh, and i met trever, hes ok