DAPOL "tuning"

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Theo van Riet - 05 Feb 2010 21:11 GMT

From a trip to England, I brought with me a Dapol Voyager.

It behaves a little bit "erratic", to say the least.

Could anyone on this group suggest a website or forum where I might find
information, inspiration on "tuning" this set, mechanically and
electrically ?

Thanks,
Theo

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From the heath in the North of Belgium

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simon - 05 Feb 2010 21:22 GMT

> From a trip to England, I brought with me a Dapol Voyager.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Theo

You could start here by telling us what you mean by erratic - stop/start,
wobbly ?

Cheers,
Simon

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Theo van Riet - 07 Feb 2010 16:17 GMT

> > From a trip to England, I brought with me a Dapol Voyager.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> > information, inspiration on "tuning" this set, mechanically and
> > electrically ?

> You could start here by telling us what you mean by erratic - stop/start,
> wobbly ?

Most complaints have (my judgment) to see with the behaviour of the
boogies.

On the front carriages they have a preferred headding direction, easy to
eg. the right, difficult to the left. Upto jumping out of a left switch
, I'm now considering adding weight.

The motor car tends to loose pulling power, again I fear linked to the
limited "freedom" of the boogies to swivel (?). I was also considering
adding weiught but the carriage is nearly filled.

Regards,
Theo

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From the heath in the North of Belgium

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Wolf K - 07 Feb 2010 20:35 GMT

[...]

> Most complaints have (my judgment) to see with the behaviour of the
> boogies.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Regards,
> Theo

I'd take the bogies off, and check to see that none of the stuff mounted
on the chassis interferes with the bogie frames or wheels. Then
carefully dress the mounting surfaces etc so that the bogies swivel
easily and equally in either direction. Bogiemounted couplers sometimes
hang up on the end beams, too.

cheers,
wolf k.

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simon - 07 Feb 2010 21:36 GMT

> [...]
>> Most complaints have (my judgment) to see with the behaviour of the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> cheers,
> wolf k.

Would also check the back 2 backs and that things are central and no much on
wheels.

Cheers,
Simon

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Greg.Procter - 09 Feb 2010 00:59 GMT

> [...]
>> Most complaints have (my judgment) to see with the behaviour of the
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> cheers,
> wolf k.

The prefered turning direction may be something as simple as a motor feed
wire pulling tight one way and loose the other. The body might have some
part which traps a wire against the chassis - a situation where one needs
to get inside with the body installed to spot it ;-)

Greg.P.

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simon - 09 Feb 2010 11:10 GMT

>> [...]
>>> Most complaints have (my judgment) to see with the behaviour of the
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Greg.P.

One other thing as it seems loco plus coaches have the problem concerns how
clean and level the track is. Does any other loco/coach set run through ok ?

Cheers,
Simon

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / February 2010

DAPOL "tuning"