THERIZE Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Quick one, what would be the best power functions motor to power trains with? I have many ideas for new locos but powering is my biggest issue. My latest design (ALCO PA, not posted) Would also need some motors to run. That one has a lot of space tho so That would mean XL ofcourse;) But what would be good for steam locomotives with limited space? And would be problems you would face when using power functions motors? Quote
legoman666 Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Using the PF train motor negates any of the difficulties related to figuring out gearing at the trade off of flexibility. If you're set on using the other motors, the large PF motor essentially made the medium one redundant. It's about the same size, but has much more power. It's 3 x 4 wide, so it's easy to hide in the body of a 7 wide locomotive that has a 5 wide rear. The XL motor is 5 wide, so can only really be hidden in a 7 wide or 8 wide area. For a steam engine, I'd recommend the large motor. Each of my diesels has 2, and my big boy has 4. Quote
dr_spock Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 The Alco PA has a C-C configuration (6 wheels per truck). It could be done with PF train motor but wheel spacing would be too close if the builder wants to keep prototype proportions. The PF motor choices are M-motor, L-motor and XL motor depending on the scale of your engine and how much do you plan to pull. M is good for tight spaces. L has more torque than M. XL is the hulk. Quote
jtlan Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) If you're set on using the other motors, the large PF motor essentially made the medium one redundant. It's about the same size, but has much more power. Strongly disagree. While it doesn't make much of a difference when mounting the motor longitudinally, the increased height and length are inconvenient if you're trying to pack the motor in a confined space, and also reduce the number of alternative mounting options. For example, in my No. 2096 and CommanderWolf's RF-16 and HH1000, the M-motor is mounted vertically where the L-motor wouldn't fit. Additionally, you can't always use the extra power available from the L-motor, In which case you're just wasting your battery power. Unless you're pulling heavy cars at high speed, the M-motor should suffice. Also, with the PF-9V adapter cable you can use the older 9V motors with the PF system, and they may be easier to integrate by virtue of having studs. They also tend to have form factors closer to a cube than a cylinder, which may or may not be helpful depending on the nature of your "limited space". The PF motor choices are M-motor, L-motor and XL motor depending on the scale of your engine and how much do you plan to pull. Don't forget about the E-Motor, which while nominally not part of the Power Functions line is still compatible with it. Edited June 27, 2015 by jtlan Quote
Brickthus Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 Quick one, what would be the best power functions motor to power trains with? I have many ideas for new locos but powering is my biggest issue. My latest design (ALCO PA, not posted) Would also need some motors to run. That one has a lot of space tho so That would mean XL ofcourse;) But what would be good for steam locomotives with limited space? And would be problems you would face when using power functions motors? If only that question had a quick answer! For bogie diesels I use the 9V or PF Train Motors as much as possible, 1 per bogie. Can use 1 of each. Easy for Bo-Bo. Trailing pony trucks of pairs of wheels to make bogies of 6 or 8 for Co-Co or 1-Co-Co-1. 2x 9V train motors with a wire between to share load in the event of poor contact on the points has worked well. One reason why I haven't gone to PF on the main lines of my layout yet. For shunters I use 1x L-Motor or 1x XL motor depending on space. My 0-6-0 Class 08 shunter has 1x L for power and 1x M for changing gear. 2 motors, battery box, IR Receiver and gearbox fills the loco body. My Class 14 trip-working loco has 1x XL for power but it fills the cab. The SNOT work means there is barely room for a cable under the hood at either end. The cables connect to an adjacent brake van with the battery and 2x PF train motors to pull the train. The brake van uses diodes to drop the voltage to the train motors so that the gear ratio between the train motors and the XL motor is right at the right speed i.e. no derailments. For steam tank engines (Stepney in yellow ("improved engine green"), Thomas in blue, Duck in green) I have used 1x 9V train motor (can use PF train motor) and 1x gearmotor (can use M motor). The train motor moves it and the gearmotor turns the suspended driving wheels. Gear ratio is important for realism! Toby the tram uses just 1x 9V train motor - easier. For steam tender engines 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 2-10-0 I have used 2x 9V train motors under the tender (can use PF train motors) and 2x gearmotors (can use M or L) to turn the suspended loco driving wheels. The LMS Garratt uses a similar scheme to the tank engines. The Hogwarts Express works well as 9V but needs more current than a PF LiPo battery can provide. 1300mA rather than 800mA. The train needed 2 more train motors under the first carriage when I added a 4th carriage. Could use another IR Receiver on the same channel but comms fault has a risk of derailment. Need a slave motor driver to use 1 signal for many motors. The E-Motor has a lower gear ratio than the PF motors. It is not so powerful as a drive motor but is better for propeller applications if you have a propeller-driven train! Mark Quote
THERIZE Posted June 28, 2015 Author Posted June 28, 2015 If only that question had a quick answer! The E-Motor has a lower gear ratio than the PF motors. It is not so powerful as a drive motor but is better for propeller applications if you have a propeller-driven train! Mark well, it was useful to read it all Propeller driven, i know what the next project will be... Quote
dr_spock Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 Like one of these? Propeller Rail Car by dr_spock_888, on Flickr Quote
THERIZE Posted June 29, 2015 Author Posted June 29, 2015 Like one of these? Propeller Rail Car by dr_spock_888, on Flickr Yep, like one of these! Quote
WholeWheatLego Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 It would be cool to see if someone can actually make one of those that is actually driven by the propeller! That would be one sweet train. Quote
THERIZE Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 It would be cool to see if someone can actually make one of those that is actually driven by the propeller! That would be one sweet train. Would be cool but I don't think that is possible. Lego propellors are not strong enough i think and it would require a very light body. Quote
Brickthus Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Would be cool but I don't think that is possible. Lego propellors are not strong enough i think and it would require a very light body. Not impossible but: - Conventional parts would give it very little thrust. - Using an Airjitzu spinner would be possible. Maximum thrust of a spinner on a PF LiPo battery is equal to the spinner's weight. - A LEGO propeller with significant thrust would be much larger. I have made propellers with as much thrust as a desk fan, but for ~40W electrical input a large static power supply is needed! - Other solutions using non-LEGO motors, propellers an power supplies would be possible. 11.1V LiPo with model aircraft motor perhaps? Mark Quote
Aaron Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 I always manage to fit XL motors in 6-wide sections. ;) Quote
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