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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Update The smoking motor/gearbox had a bent axle and a loose magnet. The vendor made a quick exchange and I'm back in business. I have the two trucks shimmed and should be back in business. I'll find out Friday. Thanks to all for your input. Dave
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Here is what I think happened. Thanks to all for their patience and input. I started the day with the loco working fairly well. The rear wheels slipped some. I think it is because the wheels in the front truck are smaller diameter. This caused the rear wheels in the rear truck to have less...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Slip as in the wheel slips on the rail. The motor/gear/axle are always in contact. No clutch in the setup. When the wheel is slipping (off load?) they are going faster than the train. Usually the front axle was pulling and the rear would slip at time. I'm told this by an observer along the...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    The motors are each attached to a gear box. Each gear box is attached to a separate axle. As I was riding on Sunday, I could see the rear axle slipping. The locomotive did not have much power. The vendor said one axle should be able to pull 500 pounds. The loco, batteries, one gondola and my...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Thank you so much for your help. I ran for 2 hours yesterday a total of about 2 miles on our club train track. At the end of the run, my 60a fuse blew. I put both motors on my bench tonight. And wired them individually. The one which was cool at the end of the run and was the non slipping...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Thank you Adam. The slipping motor eventually overheated and started smoking. The fuse then blew. The motors ran for about 2 hours before the shut down. The non slipping motor was warm, but not hot. The other motor could not be touched. The motors ran for about 2 hours. During the run, I...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    Ok, forgive my lack of knowledge, but I thought electricity followed the path of least resistance. One motor was almost spinning freely, and the other was pulling the train. At one point, the motor with the load wasn't able to keep up. It should have had enough power and gearing to pull the...
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    DC MOTOR QUESTION

    I have 2 24v DC permanent magnet motors wired in parallel to 2 12v marine batteries wired in series. The motors are connected via gears to 2 axles which make up a truck for a 1/8 scale locomotive. I don't think the truck has equal force on each axle. (The frame of the locomotive is lower in...
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    Simple wiring problem

    Last post Last night, I re connected all of my lights and accessories to the transformer. The voltage held until a wire leading to a 2 coil, 3 incandescent bulb accessory was connected. The voltage dropped to 10.2v. The accessory draws 2+ amps and all of the other lights dimmed. It...
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    Simple wiring problem

    Thanks Duke! I would consider the transformer an inexpensive one, just designed to light small bulbs. I've read up on regulation. Now I can go back to running my choo choos.
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    Simple wiring problem

    Another comment. Some of this layout was built 20+ years ago and expanded 5 years ago. My knowlege of electricity has increased, but not far enough. Last night, I found some very thin 3 conductor wire, perhaps 28awg powering 8 12v incandescent bulbs. The wire was originally designed to...
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    Simple wiring problem

    I read the label on the transformer last night. It is rated at 150w. I ran a new 12awg wire from the transformer to my terminal block. I got 11.8 volts before soldering to my terminal. After soldering, 10.6v or so. Amps were as high as 6.2. I have several operating accessories which...
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    Simple wiring problem

    Well, lots of things to look at. I'm first going to check my transformer. It is a transformer and pretty big. I suspect my clamp on ammeter may not have provided a good reading. I'm in a tight poorly lit location. I estimate 3 of my light towers are drawing about 3 amps total and I...
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    Simple wiring problem

    WOW! I'm using 16awg stranded wire and the run is 5'. I'll get some 14awg or 12 awg and give it a shot. It doesn't seem like it is carrying much.
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    Simple wiring problem

    I have a 250watt 12v landsape transformer powering lights, LEDs and accessories on my train layout. The total draw of all accessories is 5.57a. At the transformer, my volt meter shows 11.8 volts. At the end of my power wire, just before it connects to my terminal block it shows 11.8v...
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    Simple AC transformer question

    I have bare transformers 110v AC to 12v AC. They are used to provide power for lights and accessories on a train layout. They are not part of anything other than my AC wiring for the layout. Most of the Lionel hobbyists use the aux output on the train controller. In my case, I had...
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    Simple AC transformer question

    I have been using 12v 3a Radio Shack transformers and have recently found they are overloaded. So I'm looking for a good source for some with 100 watt (or so) output at a reasonable price. I've found low voltage landscape transformers, but they have timers. I don't want to pay for a case...
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    LED vs Incandescent

    Harald No, it was the incandescent bulb that didn't work. The LED + resistor worked. When I have a few minutes to spare, I plan on recreating the setup. I'll report back. Thanks to all.
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    LED vs Incandescent

    The incandescent bulbs were wired parallel.
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    LED vs Incandescent

    I have a small project with a 6v battery power supply. In the project was 2 6v incandescent bulbs. I replaced one bulb with an LED and resistor. The bulb would no longer light. I understand electricity will follow the path of least resistance. Ok I have an LED nightlight in my...
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