I might have found a source for the Mibuchi FK280SA 14200 motor. The site says in stockhttps://www.ripostp.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=298035
https://www.umebodemo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=240988
https://www.hipixelf.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=74745
Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Mel
Thanks for the update regarding the Mabuchi supply. However, I have already purchased several of the SMC Motors FP-280 can motors you found. Having previously remotored several Athearn locos using the Mabuchi motors and recently remotored several more Athearn locos with the SMC motors, I find that either works wonderfully. Smooth, quiet, more torque, less current draw, and a fraction of the price of a new Athearn motor.
The only downside to the SMC motor is the interference shield installed on these motors. This is simply a metal sleeve fitted to the exterior of the SMC motors to allow them to be mounted near a speaker (in an automotive application) without causing noise in the speaker. It is relatively easy to cut these shields off leaving a can motor exactly the same size as the Mabuchi motor. While the rpm rating of the SMC motor is lower than the Mabuchi, I haven't observed any noticeable difference when running the trains although the SMC motor does appear to have slightly higher torque.
Hornblower
After switching computers so I could look up Mel's new links, I'm pretty sure this is the same vendor I tried to order from several months ago. The "Free shipping for orders over $40" and $25 to ship a single $1.99 motor are the tip-offs. I decided to order enough motors to get the free shipping. While the web site you see looks pretty legit, it is really just a clearing house for independent vendors. I got suspicious when I placed the order and a vendor name that had nothing to do with the web site appeared on the reciept. The vendor name itself also made me wonder whether the seller actually knew anything about electronics. I did not receive anything for several months. Fortunately, I used Paypal for this transaction so I requested an investigation. I really knew something was fishy when Paypal asked whether I had contacted the vendor directly only to find my receipt had no contact information at all. Even though Paypal informed me that the investigation could take several months, Paypal notified me that they would refund my money just a few days later. I just knew it was too good to be true.
Save yourself the trouble and order from Mel's previous link to the SMC motor vendor (previously posted in the Electronics and DCC forum). Equal quality and performance at a reasonable price. THAT vendor promptly sent me 20 motors and did not try to fleece me with shipping!
I bought six just before they vanished and still have four spares. Kinda went crazy after the 280 disappeared and bought a dozen SF266 motors. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Aren't these motors used in power mirrors?
If they aren't available, what are they using in power mirrors now?
Please ignore my question if I am completely wrong about this.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Kevin
I don't remember where I read it, but the Mabuchi motor was indeed used for power mirrors. The SMC motor is likely designed for a similar use as the interference shield would make it suitable to mount near door mounted stereo speakers. If you're thinking of going to junkyards to tear apart power mirrors, I think it would be less trouble just to order the SMC motor.
hornblowerI don't remember where I read it, but the Mabuchi motor was indeed used for power mirrors.
Given how few 'comparable alternatives' to the '280 motor have been identified... it might indeed be worthwhile to identify just what makes and years used them in their mirrors.
I just went to eBay and searched for "power mirror motor" and only found one, and it was almost $20.00 with shipping.
I bought a couple dozen earlier on Mel's advice, and I sure am glad I did.