Fading motor...

[samuelhadamson]

Can anyone advise what's happening here?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fZKaoL ... e=youtu.be

Runs nicely then just fades to a stop -- over and over!

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Thanks!

[Brian]

I would initially suspect the motors magnet has lost in magnetism?

[samuelhadamson]

Thanks Brian -- I had thought this myself. The magnet is about the only thing I haven't tried yet.

Does this make sense to others too?

Thanks
Sam

[Forfarian]

Looking at the vid, I would agree with Brian.
The Rotor plates do look a bit dirty and there looks to be some rust, why not give it a gentle clean with some fine emery paper, don't forget to give it a good clean afterwards.
Nothing to lose!

[Walkingthedog]

Does it turn easily with your fingers.

[samuelhadamson]

Yep, pretty easily. Some resistance on poles but not much -- but don't have a reference point for how much there should be...

[samuelhadamson]

Thanks everyone for your help with this.

I bought a Gaugemaster Combi which seemed to solve the problem. But then, our of the blue, a puff of smoke from the motor and now nothing. Looks like it's burnt out...? Not sure if that's likely with this combination of controller and motor?

If it has burnt out, what can I do to stop that happening again? I was thinking of getting the X04 reconditioned anyway -- but will I run the same risk of burn out with a reconditioned X04 and a Gaugemaster Combi...?

Grateful for your thoughts.

[Mountain Goat]

It is most likely the magnet. X03 & X04 magnets are available as modern neo magnet replacements... But also the old ones can be remagnetized. New neo magnets can come across as a little strong. I have changed to neo magnets on my old Hornby Dublo locomotives with success. They pull really well. There is likely to be a trade off as stronger magnets tend to be more "Lumpy" in slow speed control, so the old X03/4 motors tend to work lovely and smooth just before they lose enough magnetism where they then start to overheat and trip the overload cut out etc.

[Mountain Goat]

Can anyone advise what's happening here?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fZKaoL ... e=youtu.be

Runs nicely then just fades to a stop -- over and over!

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Thanks!

To me, that is the tell tale sign of a weak magnet. You will also find that the motor has hardly any pulling power to it.
Can be remagnetized.