Minimum Gauge

underworld · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:38 am Post subject:

Those motors appear to be the same type as used for the vibrate/silent function in cell phones and pagers. Most....if not all of those run in the 1.5 to 4.5 volt range.....even though many rechargeable batteries for the phones are 7.2volts....there is a circuit to reduce the power. The standard for pagers was one or two 1.5 volt cells, so if you keep it at or below 3 volts it should run for a very long time. Should you ever burn the motor out....that type is available online for very little money. The shipping usually exceeds the price of the motor! They show up regularly at hamfests (amateur radio events) as surplus new for about $1 - $3 USD each.

underworld
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Moronguhl · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:29 am Post subject:

Simon - as you've had a look at it do you think the Pro-Hobby motor bogie (not the tram chassis bogies) would be easy to convert for DCC? Are the pickups and connecting wires obvious or well hidden?
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Adrian · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:21 am Post subject:

G'day all
I have the 'instructions' for the Kato tram in front of me and it has a number of spare parts indicated on it......At least I think that is what they are, it all being in a strange script.
However, if I am right, the bogie is availiable ( part # 1401D1G ) as a spare....complete with its PCB, for 1890 Yen ( about $24 Aus ).
Not sure where one would order them from though !
Cheers
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Adrian Hoad
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Simon Andrews · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:55 am Post subject:

Christian,

The Pro Hobby bogie is assembled on the split frame / axle principle. Power is conducted from wheel to axle to a inverted 'T' shape bearing. This bearing runs through the plastic bogie, up either side of the motor and is soldered to either side of the PCB board effectively clamping the motor to the bogie.

If you had asked me if the bogie was DCC convertable about 6 months ago I would have ssaid no Sad

HOWEVER a recent copy of the 009 News contained an article where a modeller had introduced a resistor into the circuit to improve performance Very Happy

This was achieved by using a cutting disc to isolate one of the 'T' bearing contacts on the PCB board from the motor, the resistor bridged the break in the circuit, the 'T' bearing remained intact and the structure of the bogie was not compromised.

I would suggest that if a cutting disc was used on the PCB board to isolate both bearing, the a DCC chip could be introduced into the circuit Very Happy

Simon.
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Moronguhl · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:06 am Post subject:

Good grief that sounds complex! It may be easier if you have it in front of my but that's a crazy amount of surgery!

I'm looking for chassis to make an 09 version of a Wingrove and Rogers Bev:

I was originally going to cut down a Nigel Lawton chassis but these tiny chassis made me optimistic for a ready-to-run option. Adding DCC is a complication though, think I'll stick to the Lawton chassis with it's very easy to access wiring!
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Christian Summers

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Simon Andrews · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject:

Yes, it sounds more complicated than it is Rolling Eyes

A picture paints a thousand words Laughing

So I will scan the article when I find it Wink

Simon.
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Jes · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject:

Talking about small motorized chassis, have you seen this? It's about the smallest wheelbase possible Shocked

And really affordable as well, little over $30.

Technical details here.

*Edit
Ah and sold out I see...
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ntramblog

Brack · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 7:54 am Post subject:

I've thought about that one before, am I right in thinking that it only drives on one axle though?

It is very nice of the good folks in the far east to keep on making up smaller and smaller chassis for us though!

Jes · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:14 am Post subject:

Moronguhl · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:14 am Post subject:

Good gravy that really is miniscule. The wires are nice and expose as well...DDC friendly I think!

Surely no one can get smaller than an 8mm wheelbase?
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underworld · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject:

Awesome find Jess! Looks like a great start for a lot of different projects.

underworld
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Currently on tour with Sleeper Cell

Sleeper Cell @
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Rockfest w/Alice in Chains
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Shooting video for MTVs Making Of A Metal Band

Simon Andrews · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:49 pm Post subject:

Simon Andrews · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject:

A recent article in the OO9 News suggested adding a resistor to the Pro - Hobby Caramel bogie to improve performance. I recently wired one of Nigel Lawton's standard resistors http://www.nigellawton009.com/6VMicroMotors.html between my KPC controller and a pizza test track. There is a vast improvement in slow running and control of the micro bogie Very Happy

.

Another article suggests converting the Caramel bogie to four wheel drive by connecting the two axles together using Nigel's 10mm drive belts http://www.nigellawton009.com/DriveComponents.html. I hope to try this in the near future. I will report back Wink

Simon.
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Moronguhl · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:44 am Post subject:

Sounds like a great mod Simon - let us know your results!
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Christian Summers

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The beginnings of a brewery...