Slot.it woes (Page 1 of 2)

Rico (and everybody else),

I'm placing an order for a couple of these cheap motors to have as spares for my Carrera Vintage Stock Cars (Carrera spares are pretty hard to get I found) and a couple of Fly cars I have. It appears that these motors will fit the Slot-It cars as well. I know this violates the rules of the Slot-It class but if you switch your Slot-It motors around for the remaining races you can use these ones for when the Slot-It class is all over and done with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SCALEXTRIC-FLY-CARR … 18Q2el1247

Also, for those frequenting in the Hillsboro area, Gizmo Surplus on Cornelius Pass Road (north of Hwy 26) has some 12v toy motors that seem to be standard Mabuchi size. I have no idea of their speed and torque though. They could be dogs for all I know.

Hey George, I didn't read your second posting before I got all excited and purchased four of those motors.....oh well, I guess the $7 for shipping won't kill me...... Thanks for the tip! Even with the shipping that's a good deal!  -------------------------Bill

Hey guys, that's six for sure in our hands.........I feel a class coming on!   ---------Bill

Rico, yours are on order. I have been bidding on more from this seller (probably way more than I should have). I'll cut myself off by this weekend. Shipping is free by now as I've crossed the magic threshold... You can pay me $10 next time at Randy's.

Anybody else who is interested better get their orders to me before the weekend.

That's the one.....I forgot to mention that part.  Can you say cheap racing.  AJ is trying to build one for the little Ferrari 166 he has, should be interesting

Styrene doesn't give you splinters!...........But with the sticks you get to eat the popsicle while you plan your car!  -------Bill

I wonder if you could just lick the parts and have them stick to the popsicle.  You know, like your tongue to cold metal.  It might work, if the temp was cold enough
Rico

Got my $4.99 motors today. Haven't installed one in a car, just bench tested one. Draws .25 amp at initial start up at 12 volts. Current draw is negligible when it is up to speed, and it winds up instantly. Seems to have good torque and quick response. The motor is very well vented, much better than the Slot.It motors! It also has a very good inspection "window" in the endbell allowing you to view the brushes and spring/arms. Interesting how the brushes are installed on the arms. I've seen this before and can't help to wonder if it's a mistake?!  --------------------------Bill

I don't have any way of measuring torque. I just watch the current draw while I "ramp up" the motor. It's not very accurate but it gives a little info. If you look at the end of the brushes the concave end is turned 90 degrees to the commutator, which has the brushes contacting the commutator on the tips versus the concave surface. I have seen them installed that way on inexpensive motors before. So I was just wondering if it is a mistake? It looks like it. I'm thinking there would probably be less drag, but it seems to me the commutator and brushes would wear more rapidly. Oh well I'm pretty sure in China where they're built they really don't care one way or another!  ---------------------Bill

George- Dave Kennedy Jr. has several articles on Slot Car Illustrated on how torque is measured. These are located in the forum section. Basically it is just attaching an arm to a motor and using a digital scale measuring the amount of force generated and plugging figure into a mathmatical equation.
Rico

Rico, Yes the brushes do have a concave area on the ends where it appears they should make contact with the commutator. Instead of the concave area running parallel to the commutator it is perpendicular. It seems to me you would have more surface area and better contact if the brushes were installed with the concave area contacting the commutator (one large contact point - versus two small contact point on each brush). When you install the brushes on 16D motors you install them with the brush concave area parallel to the commutator. Then you run the motor at low RPM to seat the brushes properly. It also seems the way these motors come from the factory the commutators will wear more rapidly with two grooves developing. The Radio Shack motor brushes are installed in a skewed manner also.  ----------------------Bill