bowser question

[dr.bones]

recently i saw a post mentioning that bowser locos have a different motor than a can motor, so my qustion is is the original motor better than a can motor in any way and if not why?
Would they have more power or speed if changed to can motors?[:)]

[waltersrails]

never new that...................

[Anonymous]

The motors in Bowser locomotives are what are by current standards ancient Pittman DC-17 motors. The Pitman Motor is what is known as an open frame motor and Bowser and their line of locomotives are the only place left where you can find these motors.

The Pittman DC-17 motor was first released sometime in the late 40s as it was the first motor that was small eneugh and had eneugh torque to make the many lines HO scale locomotives possibe along with their line of steam locomotives. These lines included Not only Bowser, But Penn Line, Varney, Hobbytown, and Mantua/Tyco as well. It was considered a good motor for its time, but the Pittman motor has a reputation of drawing higher amperage than a can moror and tend to be noisier than most can motors. But if all your concerned about is smooth operation, and pulling power, as long as you keep the motor bearings lubed, the differences come out a wash.

James

[trolleyboy]

They are slooooowlly replaceing the old Pittmans with a can of sorts. Already appearing in the old Penn lane traction models that they now manufacture under the Bowser brand. To the original question they haven't redone the locomotive dies forwever.You may not be able to simply " drop " a can motor into them. remebering it's an all metal body and frame. My best suggestion is to go to their website and ask them,hiow feesable such a conversion would be. Saving that as James mentione dthose old motors aren't all that bad, simple to maintine but a bit noisier than the newer motor types. Personal preferance but I'd leave it as is. I figure that it's a calssic case of it ain't broke , don't fix it.

Rob

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dr.bones

recently i saw a post mentioning that bowser locos have a different motor than a can motor, so my qustion is is the original motor better than a can motor in any way and if not why?

Yes, it is very forgiving of overloads, pulse power, and being run in DC mode by a DCC sysem. They also produce more torque than any can motor that will fit in the space provided.

QUOTE:
Would they have more power or speed if changed to can motors?[:)]

no, more cost.

Alliance offers can motor conversions for Bowser locomotives.
http://www.alliancelink.com/alp/

Bowser offers a new version of it's DC71 motor with a rare earth magnet, skew wound armature and insulated brushes for easier DCC conversion.
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/motors.pdf

[ndbprr]

Many owners have replaced the stock Pittman with a Helix Humper that they claim is superior that includes a can motor. I love my Bowser engines even with Pittman motors. Hook two of them up to the house and move it anywhere you want!

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dr.bones

recently i saw a post mentioning that bowser locos have a different motor than a can motor, so my qustion is is the original motor better than a can motor in any way and if not why?
Would they have more power or speed if changed to can motors?[:)]

The newest Bowser DC-71 motors run as well as any good quality can motor, but they're at least twice as powerful. I have one of the newer 4-6-6-4 Challengers from Bowser, and the motor is fairly quiet, has good low speed, is very powerful and only draws aroiund .25 amps with no load. My Challenger draws an average of .4 amps at 12 volts, but that's because it has to move two sets of drivers and I replaced a noisy coupling with drive tubing.

So if you changed to a can motor, you may get lower speed, quieter operation and less current draw, but it wouldn't be as powerful. I've also found that the DC-71 type motors last a lifetime and don't develope problems easily at all.[:D][:D][:D]

[dr.bones]

thanks 4 all the input so i guess i just keep the original motors in place