I have a Kato 11-103 and In my opinion goes off like a rocket if you are not careful. I have seen on the web a test run of this with a resistor fitted but no details given on how this is done, apparently it limits the voltage, my controller is a Gaugemaster HH2 for DC operation could anyone shed some light on what to do?
Thank you
Mike
The electrical circuit on the Kato 4 wheel tram chassis (11-103 & 11-104) is formed by the two long metal strips seen on the top of the chassis that extend downwards at each end, these extensions press on the backs of the wheels to act as pick ups. Connecting with each metal strip, about 1/3 the way along the chassis is another smaller strip at right angles which takes the current down into the motor. There should also be a capacitor fitted, wired in across the two long strips (so in parallel with the motor), that acts as a radio frequency suppressor (so that you running the chassis doesn't disrupt the TV next door) and a couple of plastic clips to keep the various strips and capacitor in place.
As far as I know a 'speed limiting' resistor needs to be wired in in series with the motor, so you will need to lift one of the plastic clips on top of the chassis that hold the metal strips in place, cut back one of the small strips running to the motor to make an isolation gap between it and the long pick up strip and solder in the resistor across the gap so that the current flows through both the resistor and the motor. As an alternative you could use an insulator (tape, plastic sheet or w.h.y.) to break the circuit to insert the resistor, but if the insulator fell out then the resistor would be shorted out of the circuit and end up not doing its job.
The other way to go would be to fit the resistor on one of the wires between the controller and the track, but then that would limit the current for all the locos, not just the Kato tram chassis in question, though one could fit a switch so you could turn the resistor on and off depending on what loco was being run.
It may also help the running of the Kato chassis by giving it a little weight. You haven't mentioned what the chassis is under (if anything?), and a bare chassis or one with a lightweight plastic / 3D printed body will be harder to control compared to something with a bit more 'heft' to it, and adding a bit of weight may mean that you do not need to mess about with the pick ups to fit a resistor.
I use Gaugemaster HH controllers myself, and whilst they are fine with the older, bigger motors I must admit that some of the more modern coreless / brushless motors (like those found in the newer N-scgale locos) don't seem to be as controllable and I'm considering alternatives for the new layout.
Hope that helps Mike.
Thank you for the reply, all understood about the resistor, I have been playing with weight I found that the weights used to balance wheels on cars fit snuggly in the loco in question this is a 3D printed tram loco, these 3D printed are all well and good yet very light and need some considerable ballast. A recent point in question to this was a Decauville body I have with a 0-4-0 Tsuwgawa chassis, with two weights in under the boiler with the addition of two cast metal figures it still was top heavy from the back attempting to do wheelies but a nut disguised over the chimney helps keep it down and painted it does not look to out of place.
Glad that helped Mike.
It's probably worth fitting a resistor to the Tugawa chassis (150 ohm off the top of my head) too as the motor in those chassis is a 6 volt job (might even be less) and as such is easy to burn out unless protected by a resistor. It just so happens that it slows the motor down too...
The other route with that chassis is to replace the motor with one of the small motors from Nigel Lawton as they may be a higher quality unit but you will still need to fit one of his resistors (supplied with the motor). I haven't done this myself but I know that Rod Alcock has done so successfully.
I use old stick on car wheel balance weights.
You will find that tyre shops have lots of them as they are only a one use item.
Some are made with softer than others. I find the softer the better.
All I do just clean the remains of the double sided tape off.
Brian Meldon
I would also say that adding some weight will probably do the job, especially for the Kato chassis.