+- Blue Plastic Tracks (https://www.blueplastictracks.org)
+-- Forum: Blue Plastic Tracks (https://www.blueplastictracks.org/forum-36.html)
+--- Forum: Trackmaster Thomas and Friends (https://www.blueplastictracks.org/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More (/thread-2882.html)
Talking James and more - vikjohn - 12-14-2017
Well, I got Percy, Salty, Thomas and Ferdinand to work out of the six. Caitlin will get a new motor after Christmas and James the Talking Engine is dead.
I took James apart and the circuit board on/off switch is broken . unfixable. Now ... Percy and Thomas as slow. I set up a track with a couple of slight inclines and Percy won't even climb those. I checked the wheels -clean etc. Is it just the motors are slow?
We went ahead and bought him a new Trackmaster set for Christmas since my plans for a Grandma created board, track and trains was a big bust (for Christmas that is ).
RE: Talking James and more - Super - 12-14-2017
Before assuming that its the motor of Caitlyn that needs replacing, I would wire it up direct to a battery to see if it runs. If it does run, the problem may be in the connection the motor is waking with the engines battery. It would be a bummer to go through all the time of buying a new motor, replacing the old one and it still doesn't work. There may also be a disconnection in the on/off switch.
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - Ucwepn - 12-14-2017
Yes I agree hook power up to the motor directly before removing/replacing it just to be sure, although with the flat drive unit there isn't much that can go wrong except the motor dying, they are the best drive units for longevity.
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - vikjohn - 12-30-2017
Not sure how to do that, is there a video somewhere?
Also, I took Ferdinand apart and he has a broken gear. Tooth missing. Is there a place to get replacements?
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - Super - 12-31-2017
Here is a screenshot taken from the beginning of Ucwepn's video above that shows the basic idea of how you could test the motor. The AA battery holder with wires can be found at electronics stores like Radio Shack https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-aa-battery-holder You don't have to have the alligator clips (although they do help) as you can just touch the wires to the motors terminals. It also doesn't matter which wire goes to witch terminal for the test. I believe Lowes (if you are in the States) also sells them in the Hardware section where the specialty drawers are. If the motor works using this test your problem is somewhere else but at least you saved yourself some time and money getting a new motor.
As for the gear replacement, there are different gears inside of these, which one is it?
![[Image: 9ntitled.jpg]](https://s10.postimg.cc/rtbivobt1/9ntitled.jpg)
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - vikjohn - 12-31-2017
(12-31-2017, 03:12 PM)Super Wrote: Here is a screenshot taken from the beginning of Ucwepn's video above that shows the basic idea of how you could test the motor. The AA battery holder with wires can be found at electronics stores like Radio Shack https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-aa-battery-holder You don't have to have the alligator clips (although they do help) as you can just touch the wires to the motors terminals. It also doesn't matter which wire goes to witch terminal for the test. I believe Lowes (if you are in the States) also sells them in the Hardware section where the specialty drawers are. If the motor works using this test your problem is somewhere else but at least you saved yourself some time and money getting a new motor.
As for the gear replacement, there are different gears inside of these, which one is it?
It is the stationary gear on the big wheels. The train runs but when it hits the gap it stops and just grinds. I took it apart to check and saw that there is a a tooth missing on that gear.
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - Super - 12-31-2017
That is a typical gear that splits. How many teeth are there?
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - vikjohn - 12-31-2017
ONly appears to be missing 1 but the ones next to that one look a bit ... chewed.
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - Super - 01-01-2018
Not how many teeth are missing. Its important to replace the gear with the same number of teeth total.
RE: Caitlin - not working - Talking James & More - vikjohn - 01-02-2018
(01-01-2018, 07:45 AM)Super Wrote: Not how many teeth are missing. Its important to replace the gear with the same number of teeth total.
looks like 12 ... Happy New Year! and thanks for all your help.