Moose plotting another "some day" project: Build a DCC-controlled snow plow using a Tichy Trains kit. Need a tiny inexpensive motor to twirl the rotary blades and be able to power & control it through a DCC decoder. Question: Any ideas on a suitable motor and where to buy? Another question: Really don't want to spend much on the motor, including the cost of shipping, so perhaps someone has an idea on where to buy in a store in the greater Tacoma-Olympia, WA area?
A friend of mine, did an Nn3 version, using a small battery and a call phone vibrator motor to spin the blades. Something to maybe consider. Have an uunused cell phone that could be used for such a project.
I built one that works. Chose a motor from my parts box, I believe a Bachmann motor from a 4-4-9 tender. The driveline is from my parts box. The tender supplies the power. Rotary by John Moore posted Mar 18, 2013 at 10:55 AM
I dug it out of the storage box and popped the top off. May have used a Bmann 0-6-0 motor. The motor is double shaft so I put a flywheel on one end. I used a spring drive that came from something I cannot remember. I fabricated a metal drawbar post and used a Bachmann all wheel pick up tender. It has a working headlight also. With DCC there is the tender space so that would be a piece of cake as far as room. 100_1591-3 by John Moore posted Jan 20, 2022 at 7:46 PM
I opened the chute and on full throttle it bites into snow and throws it when I tested it outside back in 2013. But the one to one size snowflakes soon clog it.
About 10 years ago I saw a real one at the museum in Ashwaubenon, WI (Green Bay). It was in sad shape but a crew members said it was planed to restore it.
For around $7.00 total you can have a 10mm x 10mm one from an auction site if you’re not in too much of a hurry. I have a couple but have not used them yet. Supposed to be pretty good.
A spring drive has me thinking of the old ConCor F3 units, or perhaps the Rapido ALCo S2 from early 1990's?
I had both at one time and I believe the RSD model had one which I also had. Usually when things bit the dust I would strip them of usable parts.
I think I would hunt down a tiny one from Tramfabrikk. I have had good service and quick mail for a very affordable motor. Now about that steam powered plow.......why you going to use an electric motor? (Evil sarcastic laughter!! ) This really ought to be a fun build Moose!
Moose hope so! Thank you for the suggestion on a source for the motor. Any thoughts on motor speed? In other words, do you think the decoder can adjust the speed to be slow enough, or will Moose need to add some form of teenie tiny gearing to get reasonably slow rpm?
Not sure what you mean by "cheap".........you frequently can pick up small RC helicopters for under $20 that are already set up for remote control. The last one I had could be slowed way down.
Would like to get one for ~$10, if possible and still be small enough to fit easily into the plow and have prototype speeds with a ~$15 Digitrax or similar decoder. Maybe pay more, but prefer not to since it will be just a fun build that will rarely be used.
