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 16:52:36 GMT
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Viewed:
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1436 times
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On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 15:45:09 +0000, Chris Phillips wrote:
> 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.
>
> 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.
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.
>
> 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.
OK thanks for the info, its not just the newness of the one motor. I
don't think they are heavily used--they have had week-long lulls without
movement when I'm real busy. sad.
>
> 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.
I am using a 4 track long one plate per piece hill (and motor without
engine or car), just for seeing the difference on hills. I may have said
this before but the motors without engine or cars get better contact and
speed up on the curves while slowing considerably on straight.
>
> Best of luck!
>
> - Chris.
-- Peter
---------------------------------
Only when you try to build with Mega Bloks do you realize the tremendous
quality of Legos.
Peter Ehrlich
peter@dairysight.com
www.routetruck.com
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
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| Hmm. I've setup a bigger layout (one floorsworth) and still its a full 9v on the farthest away point. So its not he track. I strongly think its wheels contacting the rails so I'll try steel wool sometime tomorrow and say what happens. -- Peter (...) (21 years ago, 13-Nov-03, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: HELP! Train motors dead and dieing!
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| (...) 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 (...) (21 years ago, 13-Nov-03, to lugnet.trains)
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