Rio Grande 8454 Buzzing Noise

• Rio Grande 8454 Buzzing Noise
  Posted by Andy77 on 07 Mar, 2018 19:05
• I bought a Rio Grande 8454 at an auction last weekend.  It makes a rather loud buzzing noise when I run it.  I don't know the name of the parts very well but would say it is the e-unit.  The noise is not coming from the motor.  Any thoughts on what is causing the noise and how it can be fixed?
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 07 Mar, 2018 21:03
• The buzzing is from the E-Unit. The old E-Units all buzz to a certain extent and is part of the Lionel experience.
  
  The only way to eliminate the buzz is to replace the E-unit with an electronic reverse board.
  
  Dallee Electronics makes such boards.
  https://www.dallee.com/Electronic-Reverse-Unit-E-Unit-4-Amp-AC-or-DC-motors-400
  
  Larry
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Andy77 on 16 Mar, 2018 20:12
• Thanks.  At the same auction I bought a 1664 with tender.  It was in very bad shape.  Motor was locked up and had rust issues.  I really just wanted it for parts out of the tender.  The engine looks good so I decided to tear into it.  The e-unit is definitely shot.  I got the motor cleaned up and was trying to bypass the e-unit just to see if I could get the motor to work but so far no success.  Should I be able to bypass the e-unit to make the motor run?  If so but it’s not working any thoughts on why I can’t get any response from the motor?
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 17 Mar, 2018 14:13
• To get the motor to run without the E-Unit, disconnect all the E-Unit wires from the motor. The power wire from the pickups goes to one brush connection. The other brush connection gets connected to one field connection. The other field connection gets connected to ground. The motor will run when power is applied. To reverse the motor direction, switch the connections to the brushes.
  
  Larry
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