American Flyer 282 troubleshoot

[Russ D]

Received a 282 from a friend that hadn't been run in years.I know the reverse unit needs fingers and the rotor a good cleaning but tried to get the motor running using a jumper wire.Didn't work armature barely moved.I tore down the motor down and cleaned and lubed all parts and replaced brushes.Result the motor will only run at possibly half speed and gets very hot to the touch.I replaced the armature with a spare and same result.As I mentioned I replaced the brushes but used same springs as i didn't have replacements on hand.Any thoughts or possible solutions.............If it matters this is a five wire mounting plate with the grnd from light buld/smoke unit going to hole above four prong connections.......

[TrainLarry]

Russ,

 How you hook up the motor to get it running is important. First, disconnect the plug from the tender to the loco. Hook one transformer wire to one brush connection. Hook the other brush connection to one field wire, and the other field wire goes to the other transformer connection.  Make sure the commutator is clean, and the brushes seat firmly against it. Stretch the springs a little if necessary. That should get the motor to run at full speed. If you have not already, clean and oil the axle bearings. If you still have problems, disconnect the smoke unit element, the headlamp, and siderods on the wheels to completely isolate the motor and drivetrain. This needs to work before you can proceed any further.

Larry

[phillyreading]

With the brushes make sure they are flat across the tops and not pitted as that too can cause a minor porformance problem. The springs are very critical with putting the rigth amount of tension on the brushes, I have found most A.F. engines this way. I had to take my 283 to a local hobby shop to get it done correctly, it was spring and brush tension problem, at least that was what I was told.

[Russ D]

Thanks for the help gentleman and great call on the springs.That is the only part I didn't replace but they looked OK.The tension must have been compromised  on  them.Not having a source for springs I tried Radio Shack to no avail and then Home Depot where I did find an assortment of springs and found a couple to fit.Runs like a champ now.....Thanks to all.....