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Sparking Motor - What happened?


Sir TophamHatt
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So, this little (Piko German BR80) train hasn't run in 20+ years.

 

Cleaned it a little and discovered the reason it wouldn't run before is because the little pick up wire was misplaced behind the wheels on three of them.

 

Put it back so it was touching the top of the wheel and gave it a spin.

 

As the cogs turned, there was a little sparking from the cog area.

 

Something then happened to the basic Hornby controller I was using. I turned it off at the plug, waited a few seconds, turned it on again and the controller was fixed.

 

Haven't tried to run the train since.

 

I know I need to strip the loco, clean and oil properly.

 

Did the controller just conk out because there was too much current draw?

 

I guess the cogs sparked due to practically no oil and the train being hugely old. I couldn't help but give it a go!

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Sounds more like a short circuit somewhere, the controller is designed to cut out in the event of short circuit. When you dismantle the loco check the wires to make sure the insulation is still good, check it doesn't rub or catch anywhere it shouldn't and check the wheels are all the correct way around and still insulating correctly. Also when you reassemble the loco make sure all bearings are lubricated and free running.

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Reporting back:

 

Took apart the train, serviced the motor, cogs - lots of black!

A little oil and put it back together again.

 

Put it back on the track, and although it seemed a little happer moving, it shorted again.

 

After much investigation, discovered (sorry for my non-technical terms here), the little puts of metal that push out at the front as the wheels turn; one was catching on the buffer beam bar, which is in turn connected to the metal in the middle of the train, and shorted the circuit out.

Removed the buffer beam (for now) and after about 20/30 years of not moving, it came to life.  Still a little sparky where the brushes/commutator interface is but certainly on the right path!

 

I'll edit to add photos later.

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