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RF noise from motors

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • 4 posts
RF noise from motors
Posted by rustyolgpa on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 4:28 PM

I have an Aristocraft rdc that has motors thst produce so much noise thst my decodor doesn't function once it is moving.  The decoder is an Airwire g3.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Friday, July 18, 2014 12:09 PM

I don't know if this would help, but on their HO and G-scale models Bachmann installs ceramic disc capacitors across the motor leads to eliminate RF interference and comply with European emission standards.

Before installing anything permanent, you could try various values of caps by using alligator clip leads and assorted capacitor values to clip the capacitor between the motor leads.

A capacitor will pass the AC interference to ground, but block DC voltage so it will have no effect on operation of the motor.  I suspect the motor brushes and commutator are the source of the interference.

Most electronics supply houses have capacitor assortments at relatively cheap prices.  There are other types of non-polarized capacitors, such as Mylar, Tantalum, Polyester, and Polypropylene, which will all perform the same function.  Just be sure you're not using a polarized Electrolytic.

 

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • 4 posts
Posted by rustyolgpa on Monday, July 21, 2014 4:41 AM

Thank you.  I put capacitors on the motors and it worked great!  Thanks again for the help.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, July 21, 2014 8:01 PM

Glad to have been of assistance, and to hear that the caps were the solution.

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