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 Posted - December 12 2012 : 3:07:30 PM
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As one aquires old steam equipment, how does one test the motor to see if it is "up to snuff"? Replacing the magnets look easy but I don't want to fuss with it if I don't have to. Thanks.
rich p
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Posts: 190 ~
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Posted - December 12 2012 : 3:50:00 PM
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| I carry a 9V battery that has alligator clips on a wiring harness to every train show. This gives me enough juice to find out if a motor has life or not.
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Posted - December 12 2012 : 3:56:29 PM
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Here is what I do. It may sound like alot of extra work but it all will need to be done at some point.
1. Clean the wheals.
2. Remove the motor.
3. Verify that the wheels turn freely as a unit. Look for any loose pins, hitting rods etc.
4. Properly grease any areas that need it such as gears etc.
5. Roll the wheels to work the grease into wear it needs to be.
6. Clean up the comm on the motor if it is dirty. Cornet of a bright boy works on many of the pitman style motor.
7. Verify that the springs holding the brushes are good and not week.
8. Place a drop of oil on the non-drive end on the motor wear the brass bushing is exposed.
9. Remount the motor and see how the train runs.
By doing it this way you have eliminated the issues with anything other than the motor. No use working on a motor only to find that a set of dirty wheels were causing the poor performance. You would be surprised the number of locos I have bought and been told were non-running only to find after the above steps for cleaning made them work like new.
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Posted - December 17 2012 : 2:43:21 PM
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Thanks guys - great info. I was also wondering if there is a "test" for mthe magnet on the motor.
rich p
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Posted - December 18 2012 : 12:14:31 AM
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Evidence of a weak magnet is low torque, high current draw, and excessive heat. If the motor hasn't been disassembled, it's probably okay. There are threads about magnet replacement if you need them.
http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12192
The Tyco Depot
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