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Adding Magnets to Older Motors Locos and rolling stock
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Prolific poster 8,841 posts railandsail Prolific poster 8,841 posts
railandsail

Just saw this on Facebook,...wondered if it might copy over here?

Quote:

 

The best $5.00 to spend on the old Tyco or Mantua steamers is to add neo magnet to motor. Home Depot sells them.
 
As the motors get older, even just sitting, the old magnets lose strength. In the 1960s you would send the magnets out to get zapped. The newer neo earth magnets do not lose strength like the old magnets.
 
I had a difficult time trying to soldering to the post of the motor for the DCC conversation. Any tricks ?
 
yes , zoom in on the picture ,I soldered to the brush arm itself. Take it off the motor and isolate the brush spring with a piece of wire insulation. One side gets the orange wire and the other side grey
 
Magnet size is on package picture. This lowers start voltage by 1/3. It then can be converted to dcc.
 

Brian

1) First Ideas: Help Designing Dbl-Deck Plan in Dedicated Shed
2) Next Idea: Another Interesting Trackplan to Consider
3) Final Plan: Trans-Continental Connector
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txlarr Regular poster 382 posts
txlarr

Very Common Approach

Yup, common approach -  I do: magnets from Micro Mark, insulation from stranded wire slid over brush spring & solder lead to brush arm.  Could be applied to Bowser, Tyco/Mantua, Roundhouse, etc open frame motors. 

Steve Gratke
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Bernd MRH Author 5,621 posts
Bernd

Another Supplier of Magnets

K & J Magnetics has a greater selection of magnets and probably cheaper.

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Bernd

New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds - NCSWIC
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packnrat Frequent poster 758 posts
packnrat

magnets

is this approach worth the cost in $ and time? ver just swapping in a can...if one could find one. ye$ can$ co$t.
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txlarr Regular poster 382 posts
txlarr

Cost & Time

Generally, the magnet upgrade is done on those old open frame motors in steamers that have the worm mounted on the motor shaft.  Problem with those motors in old steamers is the motor/worm shaft diameter does not match the new can motor shaft diameter requiring sleeves on the can shaft to fit the worm ID or ALL NEW worm and worm gear on the drive axle.  If the steamer already has a gear box, then installing a new can motor usually only needs a connector coupling/shaft to match the diameter like in a diesel. You can usually order the best connector/coupling shafts to fit the different diameters from NWSL.  I use the Mabuchi SF-266SA square motor if I have a gearbox and magnets in the old motor if not.  I use stiff tubing for the connector coupling.

Steve Gratke
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gna Regular poster 193 posts
gna

is this approach worth the

is this approach worth the cost in $ and time? ver just swapping in a can...if one could find one. ye$ can$ co$t.

Yes, it's worth it.  It's hard to fit a can motor in some of these old locos. I have several Bowser and Mantua locos I have done this to. I got magnets from CMS.   I bought these.

Some motors need a shim for the magnets to fit.

Bowser makes a fiber plate that replaces the brass brush plate for DCC conversion.

Gary
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