Can Motor for Athearn locos...

[KevinsHope]

Hello All,

     Yet another quick question. The boys at the model train club here in town suggested that I upgrade my motors in my Athearns to can motors because they draw a lot less voltage on a DCC system.  Where can I get can motors designed for Athearn blue box trains.

[BRVRR]

Kevin,

A Line makes a repowering Kit that will work with most Athearn BB kits. Walther's part number 116-70321. It should be available from other sources as well.

While the can motor will reduce the draw (amperage) of a loco, in my experience, the reduction is not significant enough to warrant the cost.

A clean and well lubricated standard motor in the BB kits doesn't draw much over .5 amps free running, as long as the drive train is properly set up.

I have a lot of Athearn BB locos. The major problem has always been noise which usually comes from the drive train, not the motor.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[cacole]

Whether replacing the motor is going to do you any good depends on the age of the Athearn BB locomotives -- I have seen some with a rather large, black colored motor that definitely needed to be replaced because the commutator and brushes were worn out, but most Athearn motors never reach that stage.  If your locomotives have a silver colored motor, changing them will do little to improve their performance.  A good cleaning and oiling will usually give better results.

[farrellaa]

Here is a link to how to tune up an Athearn loco that might help with reducing both noise and current draw.

  - Bob

http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.html

[rrinker]

 If your motors are the gold-case ones, do the tune up frst. There's really nothign wrong with those motors that a good tune up won;t fix, and they can indeed run nice and quiet and not draw too much current.

 Another remotor option is Alliance Products Helix Humper, they have complete kits for various BB locos.

                           --Randy