Help with this idea, will it work?

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Gil Finn

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Aug 28, 2005
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I have two F type A units, both powered that I would like to run together.

The only thing is the both run nose first so I was thinking this,

Since they are both DC, can I reverse the wiring on one of the motors to make it run in reverse while the other runs forward.

I am first test them one behind the other ,uncoupled, to make sure they operate at near or at the same speed. First one engine ahead of the other then switch their positions.

What do you think?
 
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MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Oct 31, 2002
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Gil,

You should not have to rewire it - just turn it around.

I agree that making sure they run at approximately the same speed is a good idea. I *think* the general rule of thumb if one is slightly faster is to put the slower one in front...

Andrew


Andrew
 
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jeffrey-wimberl

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Oct 25, 2006
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I wonder if these locos were made quite a few years apart. I have two Bachmann FT locos that when set on the track will run away from each other (run in oppisite directions) no matter which way they're facing. The only difference in them is that the older one was made before Bachmann started going to DCC and the newer one was made for a decoder. Niether units wiring has been reversed.
 
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Gil Finn

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Jeff, that is what I found, one is new and of better quality than the other. The differnce in spead is amazing.

Scratch that plan. I however have a dummy is the same paint meant to run behind the older slower unit so that is what I will use.

This new one has dual drive and will pull almost every thing I have untill the oval of track is full.
 
H

Herc Driver

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Apr 18, 2005
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I found that on some Bachmann motors, all you have to do is turn the motor upside down (effectively reversing the unit's running direction). That way the trailing diesel runs rear-facing to the front diesel but in the same direction. I did this with two GP50's and it worked pretty good. (Hint...I found out the hard way that before you take out the motor, write a mark on it with a permanent marker so you can remember which way it was originally installed. I had to write "UP" on mine so I'd remember which way it originally set.)
 
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Triplex

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Aug 24, 2005
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If you're saying what I think you're saying, why did you have to do that? Assuming all engines are wired the same, with a given track polarity, all engines will run the same direction, whichever way their cabs are facing.
 
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doctorwayne

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Sep 6, 2005
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Canada, eh?
I think that "the point is" that this is all taken in the larger context of being able to ask questions and get answers, all in a manner respectful of other Members feelings and interests.

Wayne :)
 
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pgandw

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Jul 9, 2005
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Triplex said:
If you're saying what I think you're saying, why did you have to do that? Assuming all engines are wired the same, with a given track polarity, all engines will run the same direction, whichever way their cabs are facing.
Click to expand...

You would normally be correct. But in many diesel models (particularly those with split frames and insulated motors), the internal wiring allows you to rotate the motor 180 degrees and change which brush contacts which polarity contact strip. This will in fact reverse the motor direction relative to the normal polarity convention.

Locomotives with grounded frames or hard-wired brushes cannot be reversed without additional work such as reversing wheel sets or swapping the wires.

yours in training
 
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doctorwayne

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Sep 6, 2005
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Canada, eh?
Well, that probably explains why I can't swap tenders among my Bachmann Consolidations. At least one of these tenders, when used behind other than the loco that it came with, will cause the loco to run in reverse of "normal" operation. Whoever assembled the locomotive and circuit board must have installed the motor upsidedown, then wired everything to compensate for the original error. The original combos work fine, and, with a number on both the locos and the tenders, no more chance of a mix-up. :mrgreen:
Thanks for the info, Fred.

Wayne
 
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