Comments on (power loss); can vs. old school train motors,and your comments.

[mackb4]

You know,just tonight my Dad and I were talking about this subject.We have noticed that the can motors in my youngest sons Lionel Chessie ,B&O 3849,dual can motors engine,it really run's well when pulling a nice size string of mixed vintage/modern cars,but after a time it seems to loose its pulling stout on a long run.When running my oldest sons Lionel 685 steamer,pullmor,and magnatration,it does not seem to effect it like so.We are using a Lionel ZW 275 watt transformer,and have tested and cleaned it,and see no defects.I have noticed this before with can motors but haven't really given it any thought till now.The layout is only a temporary 4x8 layout with several feeds located around the layout for good connection.All the track is good,and cleaned regularly.Does anyone else have this problem,or do can motors normaly operate this way ?

[ChiefEagles]

I have noticed that mine keep on going and going [like the Energizer Bunny]. I can pull 15 hopper cars full of coal and a caboose for some time with one engine, with two and so on. They have a lot better pulling power than the engines of my 80's era AC Lionel motors. I weighted down the 80's era engines to get good pulling power but it usually took a couple lashed together to pull that many cars with the weight of the coal. As you know, I get a better slow operation from can motors. Also all of mine are running TMCC and DCS with a speed control. Are you getting heat build up? Be interesting to see if others have experienced your situation.

[mackb4]

Well that's what my Dad was wondering,if heat was building up.The 685 steamer like all post-war/pre-war engines has brushes,and heat really don't seem to bother them.That's something else too ,I hate the fact that can motors seem to be "throw away" motors,and the older engines were at least servicable.I guess it's hard to accept what you just don't like,like can motors.Maybe if I borrowed a heat radar gun,I could do some type of test on the heat issue,if there is one.[:)]

[FJ and G]

I ran my friend's PW Scout for a few months on a previous layout and I noticed that heat build up caused erratic performance after about 15 minutes of running. I'm not sure about the can motor, however.

BTW, I improved performance of my RS-3 Lionel can motored loco by placing weights above the truck inside the shell for added tractive power. It doubled its pulling power.

Sorry can't answer your question.

[eZAK]

mackb4,

What year was the engine built?
Have you cleaned the grease out of ALL the gears then replaced with new?
How much time actually passes before it slows down?
Is this repeatable from a cold start?

What I would do is run the engine with the shell off. When it slows down stop it and feel the motors for heat. They should both be the same temp, a little warm not hot.

If this is Not the case, the next step would be to bench test it with an amp probe.

My guess would be that you have a bad motor. One would be causing a drag on the other.

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mackb4

Well that's what my Dad was wondering,if heat was building up.The 685 steamer like all post-war/pre-war engines has brushes,and heat really don't seem to bother them.That's something else too ,I hate the fact that can motors seem to be "throw away" motors,and the older engines were at least servicable.

I agree. Wi***hey were servicable. We now live in a throw away society. Pat gave you some good pointers. Good luck.