Motors for Scratch builds

1987 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by altterrain, Mar 3, 2008

trainmaster1989

Discussion Starter · Mar 2, 2008

I rather enjoy scratch building models, but my knowledge of motors is woefully lacking. /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/blush.gif.

My general requirements are usually a relatively small train, generally something that would at the most be compareable to a bachmann porter in size and strength, though i have built a couple smaller and a couple bigger ones. The motors need to have a tolerance for voltages up to 22-24 volts or i need a way to protect them from overloading at such voltages.

M current project is a fireless steam locomotive that would be required to pull 4-5 cars at the most.

Do you have tips for which motor i should choose for this project? and tips for choosing the proper motor and source of motors for future projects.

Thanks
Scott

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wildbill001

· #2 · Mar 2, 2008

You could go the route that ITUNCLE uses. Look for the thread on scratch-power. OR start with a loco from ebay and customize from there. OR do go the route that I'm choosing: Just jump in with both feet using a couple of surplus 12v motors from the local electronics store. One other thought that I may try as well: Harbor Freight frequently puts in 9.6 and 12v drills on sale for $10-$15. Next time they do, I'm going to pick one up and disassemble. THAT should have plenty of torque.

Wildbill

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trainmaster1989

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 2, 2008

Wildbill,

Woud a 12 volt motor be able to handle 24 volts?

THanks
Scott

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wildbill001

· #4 · Mar 3, 2008

Not for very long

All the motors that I have worked with, both big and large, AC or DC, are rated at the max voltage rating. So a 12v motor will only handle 12v. 24v will handle a max of 24v and so on.

After that, I'm afraid I don't remember enough of my high-school electronics to be of much more use. I know there are ways to build circuits to protect/limit the amount of voltage going to your motor. Hopefully someone else on the forum can be of help here.

Bill

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ralphbrades

· #5 · Mar 3, 2008

The main problem is not the motor -but how you connect the motor to the axles... It is very easy to build a potential divider to allow a 12Volt motor to run on 24Volts. You use two very large wattage resistors of equal value, and take the voltage to the motor from the mid point. Here is a link to MFA -who supply most of the equipment that I use:

http://www.mfacomodrills.com/

regards

ralph

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MasonsDad

· #6 · Mar 3, 2008

The place I usually deal with is called the Surplus center and I believe the web site is WWW.surpluscenter.com they carry alot of 12 to24 volt motors, gear drive ,worm drive, direct drive, hope this helps too, Take care and Good luck

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Torby

· #7 · Mar 3, 2008

Besides, at 24v, your 12v motor will be going REALLY fast.

However, if you're worried about running a 12v motor on your layout, you'll find you run the loco well below 12v to get a nice speed.

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altterrain

· #8 · Mar 3, 2008

You can find a few 24 volt motors at allelectronics like this one - www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/DCM-267/400200/DC_MOTOR,_3-24_VDC_.html
-Brian

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