| When the can motor came on the seen it changed | | | | operation and would prefer the 36:1 to 37:1 gear ratio. |
| everything for the hobbyist. This was especially true | | | | You are not looking for high speed with a locomotive |
| for the Brass Steam Locomotive enthusiasts. He or | | | | but for speed and especially power to pull a large |
| She now had a real work horse of a motor that could | | | | freight train or passenger train. This is also essential |
| drive a locomotive with ease. | | | | with the small switch engines ability to work a yard |
| There are other aspects of the drive mechanism | | | | shuffling freight cars around. When I had slot cars I |
| aboard the Brass Steam Locomotive that cause the | | | | would unwind the coils on the motor. This made the |
| user difficulty. However, in this case we are going to | | | | slot car very fast. This is not what we are trying to do |
| concentrate on the can motor and what it can do for | | | | with a steam locomotive. |
| you. | | | | Depending on the size and type of steam locomotive |
| Can motors come in a variety of sizes and rpm | | | | will determine in most cases the size of can motor you |
| (Revolutions Per Minute) ratings. Also, torque values | | | | are looking for. The beauty of a can motor is it will run |
| plays an important part in the choosing of a can motor. | | | | at extremely low speeds yet will give you the power |
| Generally can motors range from about 5k Rpms to | | | | and speed to replicate a real steam locomotive based |
| as high as 17k rpms. For example a very small motor | | | | on scale. |
| that would fit in a HO 0-6-0 switch engine with a rating | | | | If I were rebuilding a 4-8-4 Northern I would be looking |
| of 16k rpms would not have a very good torque value. | | | | for speed. They were high steppers and would cruse |
| An example is a coil wound motor becomes very | | | | at over 100 mph. The ideal motor would be a 16k rmp |
| powerful as you increase the coil wrap on the motor. | | | | motor with a 27:1 or 28:1 gearbox. This would be true |
| Inversely, by removing coils from a motor will make the | | | | for many engines including the large articulated |
| motor very fast but not ideal for pulling anything. Thus | | | | locomotives. However, a Union Pacific Bull Moose |
| the very small can motor does not have the power of | | | | 2-8-8-0 was a very slow and deliberate locomotive |
| the larger can motors. | | | | and had great pulling power at low speeds. This is |
| This can be compensated for because most can | | | | known as tracktive effort. This locomotive would be |
| motors will fit in just about any HO steam engine. If the | | | | best suited with a 12.5k rpm can motor and a 28:1 |
| engine is small like a 0-6-0 switch engine you can find | | | | gearbox or 36:1 gearbox depending upon the likes of |
| a motor that fits nicely in the range of 5k rpms to 12.5k | | | | the hobbyist as far as speed is concerned. |
| rpms and use a high speed gear box at either 27:1 or | | | | The key to all of this is there are different can motors |
| 28:1 gear ratio. My wife and I usually stay away from | | | | that will meet your needs and definitely improve your |
| the low geared gearboxes because they run way to | | | | steam engines performance and please you as a |
| slow for our liking. However, you may like that type of | | | | hobbyist. |