Hi, I am new in this forum.
I know there is no more pancake motors in the market. Can I replace this motor, for an old Bachmann locomotive, with a newer one (new technology)? Everything else is new. Thanks.
Not very easily. The chassis and truck design is considerably different for a can motor.
That said, you can usually find old pancake motor locos on line, year sales, flea markets, and train shows. If possible, try it on a test track before buying. Or at least use a 9V battery to verify the motor works. You should be able to find something with a working motor you can swap into your loco fairly cheap, $10 - $15 range. Possibly less at a yard sale.
Len
Bobby Clarke, keep in mind any pancake motor you manage to find is going to very old and who knows for how long or how much better it is going to run than the one you currently have. Plus all the loco parts around this replacement pancake motor will remain very old as well and may be the next thing(s) to break or malfunction. You may want to consider the possibility of throwing good $$ after bad and buy a current loco as a replacement instead. It will run much better than even finding an old but brand new, pancake motor, in my opinion. What is the road name on the shell? Have any special attachments to it?
Len;
Why would you say "not easily"?
RIch C.
Sometimes you just need to retire the old stuff and move on.
Yardmaster;
To your last comment:
The 'old stuff' is sometimes the biggest challenge, and certainly will be the telling point to your abilities.
Rich C
As you can see above, I agree with his majesty.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 10, 2015, 07:17:33 AM
Len;
Why would you say "not easily"?
RIch C.
Rich, bc of different drive parts between the old and the new.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 10, 2015, 09:02:25 AM
The 'old stuff' is sometimes the biggest challenge, and certainly will be the telling point to your abilities.
Rich C
I would opine that sometimes there is nothing to have to prove and the time, effort and resources just can't be justified. Especially considering that old is often inferior to new, in a lot of ways.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 10, 2015, 07:17:33 AM
Len;
Why would you say "not easily"?
RIch C.
Because there are often differences between the old chassis and new ones that make it difficult to put a can motor, and new style trucks, in the old chassis.
That said, I've often put refurbished pancake motors in older Bachmann, and other mfg's, equipment, then made it available to people on extremely tight budgets. I'd bundle it with some old Model Power steel track, a Tyco transformer, and a couple of Tyco/Mantua/Model Power cars. It was that, or no trains at all for their kids on birthdays and Christmas. Not everyone has $100 for even a cheap new train set.
The 'refurbishment' generally consists of cleaning things up, and making sure the gears and motor shaft still turns. Then replacing the brushes, lubing, and replacing the incandescent bulb with an LED and resistor to cut down the chances of something melting.
Len
Quote from: Len on November 10, 2015, 11:22:44 AM
Not everyone has $100 for even a cheap new train set.
Len
Gotta believe, someone who has the means to have a computer to post a question, such as the one that started this topic, has the financial means to buy a replacement locomotive.
How much would you charge for all of that
Len?
And I would not consider receiving steel track to be any kind of gift.
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 10, 2015, 12:00:56 PM
Gotta believe, someone who has the means to have a computer to post a question, such as the one that started this topic, has the financial means to buy a replacement locomotive.
How much would you charge for all of that Len?
And I would not consider receiving steel track to be any kind of gift.
A lot of low income people use computors available to the public at their local libraries, they don't own one of their own. It was considered a miracle by some when the local bus system extended it's hours to 10pm. It meant they could start taking their kids to the library to use the computers there for their homework, and not get laughed at by kids that did own computers.
I don't have a set price for the rebuilds, just whatever the families felt they could pay. Sometimes $1, sometimes $10. I wasn't doing it for the money.
Len
Computers have come down significantly in price making them affordable when they once were not. How many households in the U.S. now have computers in them?
The concept of using public computers and those that have lesser means, is not lost on me. Still, it would seem to me, that someone looking into repairing or replacing a locomotive would not fall into the category of the person you depict, as that person would have a lot more on their mind and plate than trying to figure out how to get an inexpensive HO locomotive to run.
Thanks for the response on your rates; I certainly was not implying you were doing it for the money. It just seems quite a contrast between your doing that and suggesting people buy A-Line replacement motors that are more costly than the value of the unit they are looking to put them in. I guess depending on your audience, dictates what you suggest.
Just an FYI:
https://ncbroadband.gov/info/research--4/citizen-survey
*Note this was as of 2013.
jbrock27, the diesel is a UNION PACIFIC U36B locomotive.
Another alternative would be using the motor of another old locomotive that has the same motor?Sorry if I insist in the issue, but the body of the locomotive is beatiful, at lease for me.
No apology needed FLYER, that is why I had asked you my question about the shell ;). I do not know from experience since I never owned this make or this model Bachmann, but it may be possible to fit your old shell on a new frame and chassis. Someone might pipe up about what chassis (plural) would work or you could be proactive and search via Google for info on what new frame and chassis (plural again) with new mechanisms, might fit that old shell.
Best of luck! :)
PHILLY
I believe your shell is listed at the bottom, along with earlier and later versions of the frame and chassis.
http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmannhoscalelocomotives/id51.html
If after you have done some research, you may come to the conclusion your best option is to look on Ebay for the earlier version frame and chassis with 8 wheel drive and use your old shell on it. Just a thought.
jbrock - I may not have been completely clear, these are not people looking to get locos they already own repaired. They are people who's kids insisted on coming into the store to look, even if there was no way their parents could afford anything on the shelves and still feed the kids. So during the off season, I would refurbish old pancake motor locos. Then I would make it known to folks I know, who would spread the word in the right places, they were available during the Christmas season.
For a variaty of reasons, I ride the bus a lot. In fact, I'm something of a transit advocate. So I meet a lot of the folks who fall into that small percentage of people that don't have a computer. Many of them have cell phones, obtained through a local program to help them find and keep a job, but not computers.
Len
No worries Len, you were clear enough that I understand the good you were/are doing :)
But to me, that is a completely separate matter, than the question at hand here.
I probably should have passed on this one. In the words of Sir Edmund Hillary when asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, he remarked: "Because it is there". That I do anything in this hobby-or in my life, for that matter-is because it makes me happy. John Allen was once remarked upon by Linn Westcott by "His heart was his own". John did things in this hobby, largely because he wanted to; those things made him happy, dinosaurs in forests, etc.;. Same here, I guess.
I am putting in a new wood stove in the office (basement) and had to take down a set of shelving. Doing this required me to remove their contents. It was like walking down memory lane. I compare the stuff up top I had forgotten about with what I do now (which isn't all that remarkable) and I am happy-for my very own reasons. Maybe if someone wants to tackle an older locomotive by replacing the pancake motor with a can, it will make them happy; and that is all that matters.
Rich C.
Thank you for the link. I'll do the research You suggest.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 10, 2015, 07:22:16 PM
...if someone wants to tackle an older locomotive by replacing the pancake motor with a can, it will make them happy; and that is all that matters.
Rich C.
Well that is the rub now, init? That is all great, hearts and flowers, pie in the sky stuff, but that is not as simple as "just do what makes you happy" bc 1) you have to have the ability, skill, time and $$ to implement that and if you don't find someone who will do it for you, which may come at a cost unless you come across a
St. Len but more importantly 2) (and I think you missed this part already
Rich) it is not gonna be as simple as you describe and just "droppin in" a can motor and callin it a happy day ;)
My pleasure FLYER, you're welcome. I wish you luck with this. Please keep us informed of your progress and how it all shakes out :)
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 10, 2015, 07:22:16 PM
I probably should have passed on this one. In the words of Sir Edmund Hillary when asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, he remarked: "Because it is there".
Rich C.
Uhhh.....little history lesson needed here. It was George Mallory that said that line....not Hillary.
Sid
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 10, 2015, 04:42:57 PM
No worries Len, you were clear enough that I understand the good you were/are doing :)
But to me, that is a completely separate matter, than the question at hand here.
I did get a bit off track there. The points I was trying to make are:
A. It's not a simple job to convert a pancake motor chassis to a modern can motor. You pretty much have to find a modern chassis the shell you've got will fit on too.
B. It is possible to refurbish a pancake motor so it gives reliable service for many years. (Tip: With only four diven wheels, add at least half again the NMRA recommended weight if you'll be pulling more than two or three passenger cars.)
Len
P.S. I'm not anywhere close to being a saint. Like Rich C. said, I do what I do because I feel like it. Not to score "points" with anyone.
Sid;
Are you sure? All of my life, I had heard the name "Edmund Hillary" attached to that feat. Whoever did it, fine; whoever said it, more finer. So I stand corrected. Now can I make my drink? A brand new bottle of bourbon....
I had sent you e-mails off this site; are you receiving them?
RIch C.
Jim;
This is a hobby-ONLY a hobby. If something in this hobby will give someone satisfaction , then I say go for it. If someone wants to spend money, time and effort on something others may consider foolish, well, that is their business. To hell with logic! If logic supersedes desire, etc.; then 95% of the love affairs out there wouldn't be...
I have never subscribed to regimentation in a hobby. You can acquire a vast amount of knowledge, experience, etc.; in-for example-trying to replace a pancake motor etc etc etc ...; BUT the most important thing is self-satisfaction.
Too many people in this world believe that you have to have a reason, be qualified, or some other horse-hockey to initiate a project in a pass-time. Simply put; you don't.
Rich C.
Quote from: Len on November 11, 2015, 04:28:07 AM
I'm not anywhere close to being a saint.
Don't be so modest
Len. ;)
Quote from: Len on November 11, 2015, 04:28:07 AM
I do what I do because I feel like it. Not to score "points" with anyone.
Again, never implied or said that is why you do what you do or have done. Said the opposite frankly.
Quote from: Len on November 11, 2015, 04:28:07 AM
It's not a simple job to convert a pancake motor chassis to a modern can motor.
Thank you for reinforcing some of my points. I think most of us, get that. I think
Rich is the only one who needs some help understanding that.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 11, 2015, 07:28:40 AM
A brand new bottle of bourbon....
RIch C.
I hope the hobby is not causing you to drink...
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 11, 2015, 07:28:40 AM
Sid; I had sent you e-mails off this site; are you receiving them?
RIch C.
I could wonder and ask you the same thing as many of my e-mails to you go unresponded.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on November 11, 2015, 07:48:41 AM
This is a hobby-ONLY a hobby.
Rich C.
It sure is, but there is possible and not possible as well as sensible and non sensible, simply put.
Jim;
So what??!!
This thread is heading down a dead end road....