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John Mock
USA
968 Posts |
 Posted - 12/19/2008 : 01:04:45
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Was there a second run of these?
Because my U30B's running in DC mode do not run all that fast. They very nearly match the RS27's in speed--perhaps 2% faster based on how long it takes for one to lap the other at 12 volts.
I have an Atlas B23-7 that seems to run faster than the U30B.
Whatever the gear ratio is, it is not a problem for me. They run as well as anything else I've owned.
John |
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E Heney
USA
681 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 07:11:16
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Given the "flavor of the day" approach that Life Like Proto 2000 took when gearing their drives, it wouldn't surprise me if there was a running change to the worms (if in fact that is all that needs changing as NW2 mentioned on P.1). Thanks for the tip, btw. 
What road/P2K model number do you have John? |
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ACL1099
Western Samoa
1320 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 08:14:34
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quote:
Originally posted by NW2
Regarding the speeds, On a prior forum thread it was mention that the worm gears could be replaced with athearn worm gears to achieve the proper gear ratio of/or close to 14:1 (or 12:1) dont remember the gear ratio
But if the motor's an oddball speed then they won't run anywhere close to the speed of other models. The pair I have MU well with other Atlas and Athearn models. |
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navarch2
1749 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 11:59:57
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quote:
Originally posted by John Mock
FANTASTIC!!
Ahem, better than Atlas U-Boats in appearance!
Drive is adequate, perhaps not as spectacular as some other drive mechanisms, but they are performing very well on my layout and although relatively light weight (compared to the P2K RS-27 and/or F-Units) they seem to pull nearly as well. (I'm only running a 12-car train right now, but several are the heavy Atlas 89' metal flats).
With its side see-through screens and (as applicable based upon the roadname and phase) the radiator piping visible behind the rear see-through screens, the P2K U28B/early U30B captures the look of real U boats very effectively--and as well as more expensive brass models. Some may not like the rear roof radiator chicken-wire screens being molded on--but the trade-off is that in any side view the model is stunning--to me, a 10 for an affordable plastic version! The Conrail, NYC and other U28B's with the visible radiator piping are especially knockouts!
The lighting pre-dates the use of LED lights, and is not as bright. The rear class lights, headlight and numberboards light up white, but the front nose class lights do not light (though numberboards and headlights do). It appears that one could add lights to get the front class lights illuminated if desired--the clear lens is already there as on the rear.
The U28B/U30B starts at a higher starting voltage in DC mode than the also exquisite P2K RS-27, but at about 11 to 12 volts runs just slightly faster. Even with the nearly instantaneous push of the RS-27 on starting a train, they can run together in DC mode.
Though the P2K RS-27 has very fine scale handrails--the lightest I've ever seen in HO--the slightly heavier handrails of the U-boat are easier to straighten if needed (if bent from being in a box on a shelf). Simply heat tweezers by dipping in boiling water, and it's very easy to bend the U-boat handrails to straighten them if required (on only one of my 2 units was it necessary to straighten 2 stanchions). For the U-boats I've seen, the P2K handrails were molded to very closely, if not perfectly, match body color.
I really like the P2K F Units and the RS-27, but the P2K U-boat is currently my favorite RTR model available in HO from ANY importer (and I don't even care much for prototype U-boats--having mostly been an Alco fan who views GE as a traitor/the enemy). These engines grew on me over time! I'll be buying more as I'm able.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-31406
Respectfully submitted--
John
Illinois Central rules!
What he said......I second it. |
Bob
Visit the Providence Northern at:
www.providencenorthern.com |
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navarch2
1749 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 12:01:42
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quote:
Originally posted by NW2
Regarding the speeds, On a prior forum thread it was mention that the worm gears could be replaced with athearn worm gears to achieve the proper gear ratio of/or close to 14:1 (or 12:1) dont remember the gear ratio
I did this and they slowed down well. It is the same fix you can use for the P2K SD45. |
Bob
Visit the Providence Northern at:
www.providencenorthern.com |
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John Mock
USA
968 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 02:01:13
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quote:
Originally posted by E Heney
Given the "flavor of the day" approach that Life Like Proto 2000 took when gearing their drives, it wouldn't surprise me if there was a running change to the worms (if in fact that is all that needs changing as NW2 mentioned on P.1). Thanks for the tip, btw.
What road/P2K model number do you have John?
Hello--
The two I have are Life-Like Item Number 31114 and 31115 (Illinois Central U30B's). Unlike some more recent P2K models, nowhere on the box or instructions is the gear ratio specified. The box does say "The Proto 2000 U30B will be available in a variety of road names and paint schemes". The instructions say "U28B" and were copyrighted 2005.
It appears that there were at least two runs of U28B's possibly followed by a later run of U30B's. The first DC U28B's started at Item Number 31060 (according to Walthers' discontinued item list) and were priced at only $140. The later U28B's were priced at $165 list, as were the U30B's. The last U28B item number (for DC mode) was 31086. The first U30B item number was 31106. The $25 difference in list pricing is a dead giveaway that there were indeed at least 2 runs.
As I said--my IC units don't run too fast at all.
John |
Edited by - John Mock on 12/20/2008 02:14:16 |
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John Mock
USA
968 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 02:19:23
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As a matter of fact, if anyone has Illinois Central U30B's that wishes to part with them, I'll gladly trade some of my newer RS-27's and/or P2K F-7 units for them...or any combination of freight cars, trailers and motive power.
I have Union Pacific RS-27's and P2K Santa Fe blue and yellow freight F units (all DC mode).
John |
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el3637
USA
5745 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 02:37:12
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quote:
Originally posted by John Mock
The two I have are Life-Like Item Number 31114 and 31115 (Illinois Central U30B's). Unlike some more recent P2K models, nowhere on the box or instructions is the gear ratio specified. The box does say "The Proto 2000 U30B will be available in a variety of road names and paint schemes". The instructions say "U28B" and were copyrighted 2005.
Walthers bought Life-Like in late 2005, and while they announced plans to standardize on the 14:1 gearing at that time, the first implementation was the F units. The follow on releases of the GP30s and other stuff still had the original gearing. I would assume so did the U-boats, although it's possible they did the worm swap. A 1x worm in the U28B/U30B gives it very close to a 12:1 gear ratio, which is the same as their Athearn clones, and should produce an acceptable speed curve.
Even the 6:1 U-boats run well, they just run weird. The Atlas transplant is a pain, but worth it to me because the vast majority of my fleet is built around the Atlas / Kato 14:1 setup. The quick fix on the Proto U-boat is the worm swap, and whatever can be done to lower them. I didn't even look into this because I had already decided to go with the Atlas drives and I wound up ebaying all my P2K drives in essentially brand new condition.
The SD45 seems to have something akin to the SD60's compound 18:1 gearing, but with a 2x worm giving it an effective 9:1. Not as extreme as 6:1 but still faster than 12 or 14:1. Putting a single screw worm in it will give 18:1, which may be acceptable to match. I got lucky and got hold of enough undec complete shell kits to take care of my future needs, they will all go on Kato drives - on already done.
Andy |
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