This is for you American Flyer guys I was running one of my steamers today and my amp meter jumped to Five amps or more. Checked motor and when I test it still shows to many amps. What happened?
Thanks
Irontooth
What was the previous current draw of the locomotive?
Have you serviced the motor and engine lately (cleaned and lubed motor and wheel bearings, etc.)? Is the motor sparking more than normal, even after cleaning the commutator, brushes and brushplate?
High current draw is usually caused by an engine, motor and rolling stock in need of cleaning and lubrication, or a partially shorted armature. There may be other causes, but you need to eliminate these 2 first.
Larry
Previous draw was about 2 amps. It was serviced. I took the motor out and put it in a chassis to test after it showed high draw. When I tested the motor showed about 5 amps. Tested armature 1.0 amps on each pole, 0.8 on field, but when running 5 amps. This is the large motor, so i think the problem is with the motor, when i got it it was very oily maybe I should not have cleaned it up.
.
Are your readings on the armature poles and field ohms, and not amps? Take the armature out, set your ohmmeter to the highest resistance scale, and measure the resistance of each armature winding to the armature shaft. There should be no reading. Any reading indicates a slight short to ground, which would cause excessive current draw.
Other things to check would be for worn brushes and weak brush springs.
You did oil the armature shaft bearings when reassembling the motor?
Sorry I should be ohms, my mistake. Yes I oiled and cleaned everything. I will check reading between shaft and winding. Thank You for helping me.
run it for about 5 mins by itself. then turn it over and feel the armature. most likely it will be hot. your armature sounds like it is dying. should pull no more the 2.4 amps pulling 4 cars around a 140 inch oval.
Yes this armature has passed on and needs to be rewound. It shorted out to the armature shaft. Do rewound armatures run as good as orginals and who does this kind of work and is it worth it?
Thanks everyone
Give The Motor Doctor a call. He rewinds armatures for all trains. You can also try online parts houses and auctions for a replacement armature. What locomotive is it from?
Bob Hannon in Baltimore Md. does it fast and reasonable. He'll also cut you a break if you send him the armature stripped of the old wire.
you can also pick up good used ones on EBAY but there is no warranty from the sellers.
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