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Motors
May 22, 2009 21:38:45 GMT -5
Post by CP_8530 on May 22, 2009 21:38:45 GMT -5
Here's a question:
What's your favourite replacement motor? Best quality/worst quality? What's the average price one goes for these days?
I've a few units that require a new motor...some coffee grinder Athearns (like a pair of RS3's I'm tired of tinkering with) and a Proto 1000 RS18 with a slightly bent driveshaft. I'm thinking if the replacement motor is more than a certain amount, I might as well buy a cheapie used loco with a better motor (say a used Atlas or P2K unit to upgrade an Athearn) and scrap it for parts. My local hobbyshops never had much in terms of motors, and for a $50 A-Line kit I could get a used P2K GP18 with a pretty decent running motor (as well as guts and a shell for other projects).
Your thoughts? Thoughts in general about remotoring?
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Motors
May 23, 2009 1:07:30 GMT -5
Post by gnsteve on May 23, 2009 1:07:30 GMT -5
For a straight repower I like NW Short Line Sagami can motors. I do like your idea about buying second hand engines and harvesting the useful parts.
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CIOR
Chairman
Posts: 2,046
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Motors
May 23, 2009 9:05:59 GMT -5
Post by CIOR on May 23, 2009 9:05:59 GMT -5
I started using the Kato replacement motors from the wathers cat. Under $20 and they work great (cost may be more now, I haven't ordered any in a while)
I've used all the others and most are good, like was said, problem is getting them to fit all applications is the trick.
Luckily if your in the business of doing this stuff you generally have several types laying about and can trial fit them first!
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Motors
May 23, 2009 10:40:42 GMT -5
Post by Randy Earle on May 23, 2009 10:40:42 GMT -5
I use the Helix Humpers from Alliance Locomotive Works here in Ohio. They even have repowering kits for Bowser, Bachmann, and Mantua steam locomotives. www.alliancelink.com/alp/
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dtinut
Chairman
Modeling the DT&I of the 60's & 70's
Posts: 661
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Motors
May 23, 2009 21:43:24 GMT -5
Post by dtinut on May 23, 2009 21:43:24 GMT -5
I'll vote with Randy, that the Hellix Humper/Out-Shops-Services/Alliance motors are real nice. I'd say they are second to the Sagami motor, but costs less, probably outlast a Kato/Atlas motor for sure, because they have better brushes.
Brian
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Motors
May 24, 2009 1:23:02 GMT -5
Post by gnsteve on May 24, 2009 1:23:02 GMT -5
I've also used the Helix Humpers. Randy, thanks for posting that they are still around. I thought they had faded away.
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Motors
May 24, 2009 10:22:10 GMT -5
Post by wvsecondary on May 24, 2009 10:22:10 GMT -5
You can even go to the shop in Downtown Alliance, Ohio and pick them up. They are Helix Humper and Diamond Scale Products. I go there to buy stuff and watch NS trains all day.
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Motors
May 25, 2009 0:16:37 GMT -5
Post by CP_8530 on May 25, 2009 0:16:37 GMT -5
Hmmm, I'll have to keep an eye out for some of those at the next swap meet/train show. Thanks for the advice folks!
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