Model Railroading > Rare Earth, Coreless Motors?

Reportedly, they have more power and are used in high-end model train locomotives. But also, reportedly, sometimes they can be an issue with DCC, though Lok Sound Decoders are not affected.

I know a source for these motors used, at half price. (New can be $100 or more). Has anyone here had any experience with them? I am considering using one in a steam loco kit-bash for more power and wonder if it will be worth it.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

Could you tell us the source of the motors? Thank you.

Gosh, I would like to <G> but if I do, perhaps there won't be one left for me?

WOW! What do you win if you die with the most toys? Nevermind. I'll just Google it.

See your private email.

gandydancer4 Wrote:
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> WOW! What do you win if you die with the most
> toys? Nevermind. I'll just Google it.

Ebay has a bunch and nowhere near $100 http://www.ebay.com/bhp/coreless-motor

My personal take is that coreless motors are more trouble than they're worth with modern can motor technology.

They did have several notable advantages in the "old days":
- Better slow speed starts on DC (newer multi-pole can motors are pretty good, and DCC and PWM mostly take care of the rest)
- Less cogging (again, mostly taken care of by newer motors and controls)
- More power in a smaller size (good for Z and smaller N models but above that, questionable benefit in my opinion.)

They also have several large disadvantages:
- Expensive as all heck
- Can self-destruct if stalled due to lack of cooling over the windings
- Don't react well to lower frequency PWMs because of very high motor constants
- Back EMF doesn't work because the physics of the motor are different

Just my personal opinion, but if I were you, I'd just go with a good quality can motor. Much fewer things to worry about with nearly the same performance.

Thanks Guys! I always learn something here.

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> Reportedly, they have more power and are used in
> high-end model train locomotives. But also,
> reportedly, sometimes they can be an issue with
> DCC, though Lok Sound Decoders are not affected.
>
> I know a source for these motors used, at half
> price. (New can be $100 or more). Has anyone here
> had any experience with them? I am considering
> using one in a steam loco kit-bash for more power
> and wonder if it will be worth it.
>
> Victor A. Baird
> http://www.erstwhilepublications.com


More power from a expensive motor will not make a locomotive pull more cars. No matter the type of motor the unit will slip when you have to many cars behind the lead coupler. Stick with a decent can motor.