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Replacement can motor for HO brass engine?

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  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 197 posts
Replacement can motor for HO brass engine?
Posted by ChrisVA on Thursday, April 15, 2021 8:26 PM

I have a brass steam engine with a dead original motor. It is about 20mm long with 15 mm diameter.

I'm trying to find a replacement motor for this but I'm having trouble finding an online resource that sells round can motors in these dimensions? Any tips appreciated!

 

motor1

motor2

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, April 15, 2021 8:45 PM

North West Short Line might be of help.  It looks like a Mabuchi SF266SA motor would fit but not knowing the RPM of the old motor makes a big difference, the 266 is 7000 RPM.

The Mabuchi SF266SA is readily available on eBay for a couple of bucks.
 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 82 posts
Posted by micktropolis on Thursday, April 15, 2021 9:20 PM

The Repower and Regear IO group might be of assistance. These guys are very knowledgabe on remotoring especially brass. The Mabuchi 266SA that Mel mentions is definitely the popular choice for remotoring HO scale at the moment, it's an 18mm by 18mm square can. These can be found on ebay from Chinese sellers for about $3 or $4.

The other popular choice is 6500 RPM Minebea 15mm by 15mm square can motor. This one is liked for its slow speed performance, small size and high torque. 

I also have a brass 0-6-0 that is getting re-motored and re-geared from it's original stock open-frame and non-idler gearbox. Because it's a shop switcher that'll be doing low speed operation around a yard, and space is at a premium, I'm going with the Minebea 15x15mm motor. 

Good luck!

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Zagreb / Croatia /Europe
  • 259 posts
Posted by Spalato68 on Friday, April 16, 2021 5:50 AM

A variety of coreless motors with small diameter can be found here, or one 16 x 20 mm here

These motors are virtually silent, strong enough for so small locomotive, and will considerably improve running, under condition that the rest of drivetrain is in perfect condition. 

Hrvoje

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, April 16, 2021 9:08 AM

While I have yet to repower one of my brass locomotives, I did buy several of the Mabuchi motors that Mel suggested and did some experiments. I believe they will work as excellent motors for repower.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,780 posts
Posted by snjroy on Friday, April 16, 2021 9:21 AM

Hi there. Finding a motor that will accomodate both a gear and a flywheel might be a bit of a challenge, if that's what you are looking for (I like flywheels myself). In addition to NWSL, MicroMark offered some lately at a reasonable price, as well as flywheels. 

Simon

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 197 posts
Posted by ChrisVA on Friday, April 16, 2021 4:34 PM

Assuming I get the motor replaced and working, can someone recommend a DCC sound decoder to convert this engine?  I've never done that before but I think this would be a good first project.

Assuming I would have to:

1. Put decoder/sound in the tender

2. Electrically isolate the motor somehow 

3. Run wire(s) from tender to the engine, with several plugs?

Any specific decoders with sound components appreciated!

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 2:03 PM

Well you have several choices for that- The two most popular are ESU and SoundTraxx. And there is TCS  too. Zeno is another manufacture that makes decoders. Each one has support items for their products.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,780 posts
Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 2:29 PM

I would add Digitrax to the above list. And while plugs between the locomotive and the tender are a really nifty option, they are not absolutely necessary.

Simon

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