Plarail Advance Issues

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What a imaginative idea Warts.

Hi guys!

While we are on the issue of Plarail Advance, anybody have a problem with the tires not gripping the rail, I have even have tried to roughen up the tracks, is it a weight problem and what are your suggestions? I've tried everything and I am about to throw in the towel.

I've just noticed that the ACS remote control units have a metal chassis under the power vehicle so it suggests, Tomy have identified a weight problem and have taken steps to remedy this. The track however still needs to be very level to prevent the wheels from lifting off the rails and losing traction.

The original designer of the Plarail Advance series recommends that you clean the rails and the wheels with tape if I remember correctly.

I use isopropyl alcohol to clean it with a cotton bud though even though that is not recommended.

For best performance, you will have to clean it very often … every day. I do it before every time I run something.

Also, using good batteries also helps with rails that aren't warped.

Regarding the ACS chassis: Even if it doesn't use metal, it will be heavier because it uses two AAA batteries.

-plarnold

The ACS units consist of two permanently coupled vehicles, one holds the Infra Red receiver and it's battery and the other vehicle is the power car with it's battery so the extra weight of the metal powered chassis is more or less off set by the added weight of a second battery to lug around. There is still room within the body to add extra weight if you have issues with a particular model.
The traction tyres are made of soft rubber and do pick up dust which can reduce their ability to grip the rail. In this scale a piece of dust on the wheels or track can be like rolling over a speed hump.

There are also the long radius curves by Tomy that may work better although I am just guessing.

Are these the same geometry as the outside track of an R-05 double curve?

chrisjo, Yes, you are correct.

Wartsilaone, What do you mean by "so the extra weight of the metal powered chassis is more or less off set by the added weight of a second battery to lug around"?

The battery adds extra weight and the metal construction adds weight. There is no "offset".


-plarnold

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Are these the same geometry as the outside track of an R-05 double curve?

That is exactly right Chrisjo

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking for Plarail Advance internet forums and bluepastictracks came up. Well, I am having the seemingly normal adhesion issues but everything seems to be ok after cleaning and re-charging the batteries.

A few questions:

-Are you guys using AAA rechargeables? How long does it take for you to replace the battery?
-Is it possible to buy replacement rubber adhesion rings?
-I can hear a nasty cog wheel sound when my 4yo (and sometimes the 6yo) want to stop a train. Have you had any bad experience with the cogs? I suppose that if they are made to Plarail standards they would take quite some abuse, right?

Cheers,

P

I use rechargeable AAA batteries.

I am not sure about the rubber tires. I don't think they have released them yet otherwise I would have seen them in the store.

The gear quality depends on luck. Some are good while some will break.

Also, Plarail Advance is recommended for children 6 years and above.

-plarnold