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 Posted - December 04 2014 : 4:03:41 PM
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I have accumulated several motors from 50's and 60's steamers. Is there any way to test for weak magnets or worn brushes? Basically since I have have more motors than I plan to use I want to pick the cream of the crop without having to install each motor in an engine and run it. Thanks.
rich p
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Posted - December 04 2014 : 4:12:28 PM
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quote:I have accumulated several motors from 50's and 60's steamers. Is there any way to test for weak magnets or worn brushes? Basically since I have have more motors than I plan to use I want to pick the cream of the crop without having to install each motor in an engine and run it. Thanks.
Originally posted by richard p - December 04 2014 : 4:03:41 PM
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Use a power pack with a volt meter and just bench test each one. If it gets hot or slows down after a short period of running, it's a bad coil or weak magnet. Brushes can be inspected visually.
I do a brief dry (no oil) test to initially to check for excessive bearing squeal. If it screams, then the bearings are bad. Then oil the motor before testing further. Usually, bearings are a pretty easy fix and worthwhile if the rest of the motor is good.
After oiling the bearing locations, leave each run for a short period in a vice on the bench. The weak magnet will show up after the motor runs for a little and warms up. The engine will slow to a crawl at full power or will need to me hand rotated to start.
The volt meter will let you know if it is drawing too much power.
If it get's hot and smokes, its a bad coil.
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
Edited by - Mustangs_n_Trains on December 04 2014 4:14:34 PM
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Posted - December 04 2014 : 4:19:36 PM
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quote:I have accumulated several motors from 50's and 60's steamers. Is there any way to test for weak magnets or worn brushes? Basically since I have have more motors than I plan to use I want to pick the cream of the crop without having to install each motor in an engine and run it. Thanks.
Originally posted by richard p - December 04 2014 : 4:03:41 PM
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Brushes and commutator: Check to see if commutator is scored or brushes are visibly worn down. (If the comm is in good condition, just dirty, you can clean it, so sparking isn't a problem unless accompanied by visible damage)
Magnets: You can hook up the motor to 12v through an ammeter and measure the current with the motor running at no load. The motors with the lowest no-load current draw, assuming the mechanical parts, armature, and brush system are in good shape, are likely to have the strongest magnets.
Also: Check how much side-play the motor shaft has. The front bearing on an end-shaft motor often gets very worn. Very worn bearings can make a loud, annoying screeching or squealing sound.
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