Fading motor...

[adamson342]

Can anyone advise what's happening here?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fZKaoLuhfw&feature=youtu.be

Runs nicely then just fades to a stop -- over and over!

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Thanks!

[Ex-Pat]

I would hazard an initial guess at it being a connectional problem.

Have you tried attaching the crocodile clip across the brush and insulation sleeve so that you are not reliant on manual contact (which can easily be broken without you realising it)?

Presumably you had the problem with the motor in situ in the loco? - could again be a connectional problem - possible dirty wheels/pick-up gear etc..

[adamson342]

Pat, thanks. I have attached the crocodile clip as suggested but same problem.
In situ same effect but perhaps slows quicker/less power.

Others have suggested it may be the magnet -- any thoughts?

[Mountain]

It looks very much like the commutator needs a clean. Make sure the commutator plates are not clogged up. It is surprising that it's not tripped the cut out on your controller. Go gentle if cleaning.

[Mountain]

Magnet.... A weak magnet. Overheating motor. Lack of power. Will also trip the overload... Umm. Not sure if the motor will stop unless the cut out trips. But with a clogged and dirty greased up or oiled up commutator one will get it heating and drying ceasing the electrical contact. Then any moist bits will temporarily conduct electric and the cycle repeats...
If you turn the motor in your fingers, does it freely spin or is there a polar resistance? There should be a magnetic resistance where the motor has sections it likes to dwell at.(Trying to describe). If it spins a bit too freely then it is most likely the magnet is weak.

[adamson342]

Ah yes, I do get what you mean. There is some resistance, as you describe, but not especially strong (though I have no frame of reference).
The commutator is relatively recently cleaned and the muck scraped out -- so maybe time to change the magnet...?

[Mountain]

Likely to be the magnet... Two options. One of those fancy neo magnets or get the magnet you have remagnetized. The neo magnets do work but maybe a tad too strong. I've had success with them on my Hornby Dublo 3 rail locomotives but others have had the odd issue.
See if you can get it remagnetized if you can and if you have no joy, try the neo magnet as a back up choice is the plan I would suggest.

[adamson342]

Thanks, going to try that.

[Bufferstop]

This guy john050272 sells reconditioned X03/X04 motors on Ebay on an old for recon swap. I'd get in touch with him via his Ebay shop and see what he can supply, ideally you want a recon armature, new brushes, re magnetized with the gear on, would be good as new.

[adamson342]

Thanks, will check it out

[Roger (RJ)]

What power supply are you using?

[adamson342]

An R921 like this https://www.hampshiremodels.co.uk/products/hornby-r921-single-track-controller-transformer?variant=38640747463

It's the second one I've used -- with the same results.

[Roger (RJ)]

Could be the controller at fault then. Quite an old controller that might not have enough grunt for the old XO3/XO4 motors.

[adamson342]

Can you recommend something with more grunt? Not too pricey ideally...

[Mountain]

Something from Gaugemaster is good, or Morley.