I have an IHC Sky Wheel that is driven by a motor and plastic gears. Most of the noise comes from the small gear on the motor meshing with the large gear that rotates the ride. I was thinking about replacing these gears with a belt drive. Where can I find pulleys and belt drive options? If someone has another idea I would like to hear it.
Lubricate the gears with plastic compatible grease. Labelle makes one kind. Dont remember what the name of it is.
How fast does it run? Besides Andrew's suggestion, I have found that slowing the motor down by supplying 6-9 volts instead of 12 — helps to quiet things down. I had to do this with the Walthers motorizing units.
If you still want to use belts (O rings? like an audio turntable drive) All Electronics frequently has some nifty surplus drive parts:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
Good Luck, Ed
i thought flat (straight) cut gears are noisier than helical cut gears. Many models have straight cut gears
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
gregc i thought flat (straight) cut gears are noisier than helical cut gears. Many models have straight cut gears
Helical gears are in fact quieter, double helical gears if you have the space are great!
For a belt drive try this guy. http://www.nigellawton009.com/DriveComponents.html
Just a happy customer.
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com