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 Posted - September 27 2012 : 2:33:45 PM
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Alrighty all, I've got another question. 
So, I plan on rehabilitating some of my old HO motors with rare earth magnets, as the motors on some of my more ancient pieces of equipment begin to age. However, for some locomotives, a whole new motor is in order if they are ever to run again. Of course, brand-name replacement motors are not cheap, so I was wondering if anyone here has experience with using less-expensive generic hobby motors for re-powering old locomotives.
I know that most HO locomotive motors run at a maximum of 12 to 15 volts DC. I've seen some motors for sale out there that say something like "6v-12v" or "9v to 12v". Does that mean that those motors won't operate at anything under that first voltage number? Are stock HO DC motors 0-12 volts? Finally, is there anything carried by Radio Shack or even amazon.com that would make a decent HO replacement motor? I know that a lot of the small DC motors only have one shaft, so could you use two motors in one locomotive if necessary?
Thanks.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
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Posted - September 27 2012 : 3:06:47 PM
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Hi,
The motors you mention should be ok, the fact they mention 9-12 v or 6-12 v refers to the voltage they need to provide an specific RPM count that the manufacturer defined as the operation speed in the specifications, but for sure they will start moving before that. The ones to stay away of are the motors that are for toys and that operate in the range of 3 volts as you will burn them.
I found one in Radioshack that could work:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102827&retainProdsInSession=1&filterName=Category
For my taste it draws to much current and is too fast, but at least gives you an idea of what to look for.
Here are some more:
http://www.alltronics.com/cgi-bin/item/92M016/search/1-12-VDC-Assortment-Hobby-Motors-Pkg-of-6
I think is good to look for surplus motors, you will find more variety and cheaper price.
Regards,
JL
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Posted - September 27 2012 : 4:30:02 PM
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LG is right, but those hobby motors are much too large. The RS motor is noisy, fast, and also too large for most HO applications.
It would help to know what locos you're trying to repower for a better idea of what you need, but here are some generic options.
These are CD drive motors which can be useful for PT or even some Rivarossi repowers.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17687
This one is a nice low speed equivalent of the Mabuchi FK-130, which is a good repowering option.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_231732_-1
Here's an example of the Mabuchi version in an AHM diesel.
http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7136
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - September 27 2012 : 8:09:55 PM
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Yes, those Radio Shack motors are noisy. Be better using something else. Try NWSL, A-Line etc. Try Eldon at micro-loco-motion.com. Just tell him whatcha remotoring and the old motors size.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - September 28 2012 : 9:42:23 PM
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There are several surplus websites out there that sell electric motors. one is =- http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/400/Motors/1.html
There are others, but if you look around,d you can can find places to buy cheap electric motors, some of these sites even sell Mabuchi can motors, also used in HO trains.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - September 28 2012 : 11:56:36 PM
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Okay, thanks all. I think I'll have to go after those Mabuchi motors.
Now, if one were to repower, say a two-truck diesel locomotive, but your Mabuchi motor only has one spindle, could you use two motors in one locomotive? One for each truck?
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 12:24:34 AM
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quote: could you use two motors in one locomotive? One for each truck?
Originally posted by weekendrailroader - September 28 2012 : 11:56:36 PM
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Yes, you can do that.
Tyco, Bachmann and other manufacturers have done it also. This is a dual motored Tyco C630 I made.
Ray
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:08:18 AM
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Ray,
I bet that ole Chessie pulls well with 2 cans fitted into the trucks for power! NICELY done!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:21:27 AM
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quote:Okay, thanks all. I think I'll have to go after those Mabuchi motors.
Now, if one were to repower, say a two-truck diesel locomotive, but your Mabuchi motor only has one spindle, could you use two motors in one locomotive? One for each truck?
Originally posted by weekendrailroader - September 28 2012 : 11:56:36 PM
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It depends on the loco. If it's an Athearn style with a centrally mounted motor, there may not be enough room for two motors back-to-back, but I found one I had bookmarked that is double ended. You just have to remove the worm and encoder disk.
http://store.reuseum.com/Mabuchi_FK_130SH_09450_DC_Motor_Encoder_p/090111_001_mabuchi_fk-130sh.htm
And here are some single ended ones in two different speed ranges.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280833956703
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110892390129
Also, save this guy to your favorite sellers: http://myworld.ebay.com/bearbon
He's the former owner of Hobbytown, and sells really good double shafted motors from his surplus at a low price. I haven't seen them in a while, so I hope he hasn't run out.
Update: I just found his last listing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200812604039
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Edited by - NickelPlate759 on September 29 2012 01:25:35 AM
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:27:27 AM
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Nelson,
Thanks for passing that surplus website on for motors with the encoders.....I'll be looking into a few of those!
Those look to be the ones you had shown with the truck mounted vertical motors.........correct? As they look like they would fit inside the truck's interior from where the original motor parts were!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:53:32 AM
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John, yes the FK-130 is what I used in the AHM truck, and except for widening the bottom and removing the bearing, they are almost a drop-in fit. I think those Nichibos and the Jameco motor I posted earlier all have the same profile, too -- just check the spec sheets.
The Tyco Depot
Edited by - NickelPlate759 on September 29 2012 01:54:06 AM
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:55:40 AM
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Nelson,
Will do!
I have used Mabachi's similiar in size before and they too work well in 6 VDC power specially in dual motor diesels......
I'll keep my eyes on those other 2 you posted as well!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Jim
Little Six
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 01:59:16 AM
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| could always go the route I did and "accidently" use a busted optical drive motor for the engine, I tend to have tons of computer parts laying around so I some times canabolize the CD/DVD rom motors if they still work from damaged units and use them for my trains....
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Posted - September 29 2012 : 02:04:20 AM
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LOL Jim,
I use old Power supplies for my DC cab control power with it connected to a decent Rheostat.....Ceramic one at that.. my whole layout is DC cab, and its all on home made power supplies, unless I took an MRC apart and built it into the underside of the layout to my control panel!
I use computer cooling fans to keep my power pack transformers with an air flow! not that it needs it but that keeps them from overheating on long days of run time when I'm down there.......
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - October 01 2012 : 3:29:15 PM
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quote:could always go the route I did and "accidently" use a busted optical drive motor for the engine, I tend to have tons of computer parts laying around so I some times canabolize the CD/DVD rom motors if they still work from damaged units and use them for my trains....
Originally posted by Jim - September 29 2012 : 01:59:16 AM
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CD ROM motors are great for some applications, but since the economy tanked it seems like the supply of old computers and shelf stereos I'd find at the curb have dried up. If you have access to them, you're lucky. I may even hit you up for a few if you're willing to part with them.
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Posted - October 03 2012 : 4:31:38 PM
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Hi,
A good source for cheap motors is Jameco Electronics. They have an assortment of dc motors. A few of these motors are suitable for some re-motoring projects. All of their motors are single shaft. They Provide a online specification sheet with most of their motors. I have used a few of their motors in the past. I generally test run the motors and ensure they will run unloaded without mechanical or electrical problems. I have had only a couple of their motors with problems. I have tested about 20 to 25.
The bad news is some of the motors are not suitable for model applications. The good news is many are and they are very reasonably priced.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1
Regards
John
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If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. >>Vince Lombardi
Edited by - JRG1951 on October 03 2012 5:36:51 PM
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