For Joe (and anyone else using pager motors)

[David K. Smith]

Saw your post on TrainBoard. One problem with using pager motors in Z scale (or any other scale) is that you wind up making a special throttle for just one loco and then can't run it together with conventional locos on the same layout.

The solution is to adapt the pager motor to run safely using conventional throttles. One approach is detailed on this page:

http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/clinic_35.htm

The concept is to use the voltage drop of diodes to limit the voltage to the pager motor. In the above example, the pager motor was only 1.5 volts. Others are 4V, 5V, etc., so you just keep adding diodes until you hit the spec for the motor. Also, you can use a resistor for the load instead of a light bulb as in the example.

This trick lets you run a pager-motor-powered loco along with any other loco. PWM throttles designed for the 8V max. of conventional Z scale motors will power the pager motor with no problems. DCC also works. The hi-rail in the example has been run on Rick Spano's layout using a mix of conventional N scale throttles with no problems.

[Shipsure]

Thank you very much for the info Dave!  Food for thought and nice build.  I suspect given the lack of torque of some of these motors, lashing them to 4 wheel trucks might be too much of a load on them?  I have two of the Maxon 6mm motors, but they are just as long as the 8mm we currently use...so...  I could  mount the motor above the gear train and double back using a bell gear like in the old MTL F7 or just stack gears like in the Marklin 6 wheeled steamers.  As it is I'd need to design new gear towers anyway to get the proper wheel base, maybe I can fabricate an off set drive and move the gears forward of the center line like they did in Brass Diesels over the years.  Since it's raining...again...here in Oregon, might be a good project to work on today.

Thanks again

Joe

[David K. Smith]

If you want torque in a tiny package, start here:

http://www.gizmoszone.com/shopping/storepro5/agora.cgi

[Shipsure]

Here's a quick sketch to scale.  Looks like the motor with the gear head will fit with a good size spur gear between a worm gear and the gears on the wheel sets.  Now to cad!   Thanks again for the link, lots of good stuff on that site.

Joe

[tom mann]

Whoa...what is going on here?  Z scale 70 tonners from MT?

[Chris333]

I think it's just Z scale 70 tonners for Joe 

[Shipsure]

Yea, this one is for me.  I have a soft-spot (other than the one on my head) for the Carson & Colorado (SP Narrow Gauge) and have a few pieces underway for a module I am working on of Owenyo.  This is an interesting spot where the SP standard gauge and their Narrow Gauge met to transfer minerals and products mined in the Owen's Valley.  On the Narrow Gauge side they used a number of 10-wheelers (4-6-0) and a 70 tonner modified to run on that track.  It got me thinking about what it woud take to do the same in Z scale and how I would make it go.  I understand Bachmann may be doing the standard gauge version in N Scale next year and will wait to narrow the frame then.  Great time to be modeling!!

But that said, being able to mass produce a 70-Tonner in Z would be amazing.

Thanks for the info.

Joe

[tom mann]

I didn't know that Joe.  I was into SPNG in On30 a few years ago around this time of year.  Owenyo was a neat operation, but I was going to concentrate on Sierra Talc.  I made a few "close enough" boxcars, and shortened bachmann's combine to resemble one of SPNG's short combines.

I also picked up an autographed copy of George Turner's 1960 book, but could not find Mallory Ferrell's book for a decent price. 

Check this out:

http://www.richyodermodels.com/rym_owens_bd.htm

[Shipsure]

Yes, very cool site.  I used it as reference to laser cut some of the structures in N scale.   Right now I'm doing battle with one of those GHQ SP 10-wheelers and may end up putting the motor in the whaleback tender as first planned.  I take a perfectly good (sorta) Marklin 2-6-0 chassis and do the modifications and now it runs crappy.  I've cleaned it 4 times, so there must be some binding going on.  I am also working on the Transfer trestle as we type...great way to interface N and NN3.  I'll post some shots tomorrow.

Joe