Subject:
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Re: HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Thu, 13 Nov 2003 15:45:09 GMT
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Viewed:
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1370 times
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In lugnet.trains, Peter Ehrlich wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have two 9v train motors, one from 'My Own Train' (two years ago) and
> another from bricklink about a year ago. The problem is that they make
> terrible contact with the rails. Originally when I got them they worked
> fine but then, sadly, the metal made worse and worse (electrical) contact
> as the months went by.
>
> When hooked directly to a battery box or speed regulator they work fine,
> but when on a small track setup with slight grades, no go. When I put my
> (trusted) volt-meter on the rails it gives a 9v. Lastly, when I hook the
> motors together with a wire (one makes contact more then the other) they
> still go at different speeds.
>
> I've already cleaned all me tracks with alcohol to no avail. Please! help
> anybody, before the have to get another and IT lasts only 10-18 months.
Did you also clean the wheels on the train motor? You could try lightly buffing
the rails with steel wool, although you should be careful to vacuum up all the
metal filings if you do so. And make sure that you clean the portion of the
rails where they make contact with the next rail section, or else the voltage
can drop significantly as you get farther away from the transformer hook-up
leads.
Another question, have you put a lot of hours onto these motors? I am wondering
if the electrical contacts inside the motor that run against the inside of the
wheels may have gotten worn out or dirty. If so, you MIGHT be able to bend them
to get better contact or clean them with alcohol if you don't mind disassembling
the motor and voiding your warranty. (See Tom Cook's excellent DCC Page at
http://www.lgauge.com/trains/dcc/dcc.htm for pictures and instructions on how to
disassemble a train motor.)
It is not uncommon for different motors to run at different speeds even when
they are brand new. This is why I discourage people from running multiple
motors in the same train - they are practically guaranteed to work against each
other.
I am also not sure how steep of a grade you are using, but even a very minor
uphill grade can seriously impact the speed of a heavy train. Also watch out
for S curves and other track layouts that may add drag.
Best of luck!
- Chris.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
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| (...) I'll try on a the small loop first to see if there is a difference. I have not <i>noticed</i> any speed reduction far from the regulator. (...) OK thanks for the info, its not just the newness of the one motor. I don't think they are heavily (...) (21 years ago, 13-Nov-03, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
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| (...) Alcohol contains water, which corrodes the metal rail (and the joints between the track sections as well) (...) Do not use steel wool on your track, as it scratches the surface of the rail and leaves pits where more dirt can collect. What do I (...) (21 years ago, 14-Nov-03, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
|
| Hello all, I have two 9v train motors, one from 'My Own Train' (two years ago) and another from bricklink about a year ago. The problem is that they make terrible contact with the rails. Originally when I got them they worked fine but then, sadly, (...) (21 years ago, 12-Nov-03, to lugnet.trains)
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