burning motor

[Anonymous]

i need help , i got this motor thats a few years old and when i put 12 volts to it the shaft doesnt spin and the carbon bushes start to smoke and on the shaft where the carbon bits touch , there is a flame and when the shaft spins, it spins real slow and shorts out. would anybody know how i could fix the problem? thanks

[Anonymous]

Is the driveline turning ok? Make sure everything is "free". Is there excessive oil in the motor? If so, disassemble, and clean well. If none of these conditions exist, you probably have a defective motor. Also, check the spaces between the commutator plates. You didn't say what make of motor you have, but if it's an older Athearn, that might be another cause. Just make sure everything is CLEAN! If all else fails, invest in a "can motor", you will have one smooth running loco then.
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

ok thanks mate umm its not a athearn its from a steam engine that i think might be a model power motor like 5 years old or so

[Anonymous]

I had a similar problem many years ago with a Bachmann 4-8-4. This loco had the old "inline" motor, and the brushes were toast within 6 months of normal operation. Actually, it was the springs for the brushes that went. You might want to check and make sure that the brushes have enough pressure behind them to make good contact with the armature. If you find weakened springs, a trip to your local hardware store might find the cure. Don't get brass springs, that was the problem to start with. Brass will soften with heat. Look for steel springs of the diameter you need, and trim the length accordingly. You just want light pressure on the brushes. But, remember when cutting the springs, you can always cut more, but you cannot add. Experiment with different lengths, starting with longer, then cutting down. You want the motor to spin fairly freely with a hand twist of the shaft. If in doubt, just check the friction of a known good running motor.
Hopefully this will help.
Todd C.