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 Posted - June 28 2010 : 7:20:02 PM
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Hey everyone. I picked up a Bachmann Trackster a few weeks ago in really nice shape. It does run, but it's pretty dirty. The metal wheels and wipers need a good cleaning. The motor runs VERY HOT. How does this thing come apart and how should I go about cleaning the motor? Thanks!
cheez
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Posted - June 28 2010 : 9:17:26 PM
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quote:Hey everyone. I picked up a Bachmann Trackster a few weeks ago...It does run, but it's pretty dirty. How does this thing come apart and how should I go about cleaning the motor? Thanks!
cheez
Originally posted by DaCheez - June 28 2010 : 7:20:02 PM
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Ok, carefully remove the two copper contacts up front with small needlenose pliers or tweezers ( you might want to do this over a big bowl, or white paper, so they don't go flying, they're not springy much,but they have some tension. ) After that is the trickier part - those two black plastic posts on either side of the silver contacts with wires soldered to them, need to GENTLY and SLIGHTLY spread them apart. I used my fingernail to pry upwards on the worm gear, and pulled first one post GENTLY, then the other, apart slightly (outward ), and it releases the front of the motor. Then just pull it up and frontwards to disengage from the loop plastic in the rear which holds the bearing stub. Pretty easy! Getting into the copper contact area of the brushes looks difficult, but not undoable. My gear shaft turns relatively easy, see if you have to work at it to turn it, it should not be stiff or require much effort. If it does, could be the bearings, or dirt, or bent. Or burnt up wiriing. Look for discolored wire, it should be bright copper color, if dark or blackened, could be a sign of overheating, and the motor may be junk. Judging by the picture, though, it looks bright and shiny. Have fun with it! Is yours the Jeepster or van?
Jerry Casper
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - June 28 2010 : 10:35:41 PM
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The copper wiring in the motor actually has some white build-up on it. You can see it in the pic...it looks like reflection from the flash, but it really is that colour. Hopefully I can clean it
But ya, thanks for the disassembly instructions!! I just started on another...err...somewhat large project , so the trackster may take a while, but I'll let you know how it works once I'm done.
It's a Jeepster!
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Posted - June 28 2010 : 10:40:44 PM
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| I may be completely off base here--but have you tried anything like contact cleaner or rubbing alcohol (carefully) on the motor? Then maybe a simple lubrication? It really can work wonders sometimes.
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Posted - June 28 2010 : 10:55:44 PM
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quote:| I may be completely off base here--but have you tried anything like contact cleaner or rubbing alcohol (carefully) on the motor? Then maybe a simple lubrication? It really can work wonders sometimes. |
I think I've read somewhere that rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush are good for cleaning the armature. Meh...if an athearn motor can survive a bath in rust remover, I'm sure this will be fine
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Posted - June 30 2010 : 12:08:09 AM
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Alcohol should be fine, but don't soak it too long, or it may take the paint off the magnets and armature. The white stuff isn't corrosion, it's some kind of lacquer to hold the windings in place, I assume. Some manufacturers use it, and early Kader did.
I still have 2 Woodys and two vans in my collection, I think. They looked cool, but were absolutely horrible: two wheel pickup, weak bronze wipers, poorly molded, off-center wheels, and hot running motors. Other than that, they were great!
Good luck!
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - June 30 2010 : 7:58:50 PM
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This thread reminded me that I had a Gandy Dancer that didn't run. It came in the big garage sale lot I got a few weeks ago. I decided to take it apart last night, and I found that the whole engine had melted! 
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Posted - June 30 2010 : 8:24:45 PM
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quote:| This thread reminded me that I had a Gandy Dancer that didn't run. It came in the big garage sale lot I got a few weeks ago. I decided to take it apart last night, and I found that the whole engine had melted! |
OUCH O_O What a bummer. I can believe it though. After about 15 seconds of run time, mine was too hot to even touch
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