Maintain your Hornby model
locomotive's X03 and X04 motor with these simple hints and tips
Abstract
The earlier Hornby model
locomotives produced in the 1960s to 1980s were fitted with open frame
motors the most common of which is known as the X03 and X04 motors.
In different forms this motor was also fitted to many of the Hornby
locomotives of the period. This article shows how an X03 and X04 motor
can be serviced in a methodical way by considering the mechanical, electrical
and magnetic aspects of the motor.
Introduction
The X03 and X04 motors were
fitted to many Hornby model locomotives from the 1960s to 1980s. In
order for your Hornby model locomotive's X03 and X04 motor to give the
best possible performance it has to be in the best possible health.
Effectively giving the maximum torque for the electrical power available
to it. For any electrical motor to give its best 3 key areas need to
be considered; the mechanical condition of the motor, the electrical
condition of the motor and the magnetic condition of the motor.
Mechanical
Mechanically the X03 and
X04 motors needs to be in the best condition possible to ensure that
no energy is lost and the motor can transfer all of the generated torque
to the drive wheels. To do this several areas need to be reviewed:
- Firstly check and ensure
that all the parts are present and undamaged. All missing
or damaged parts must must be replaced.
- Check and ensure the motor
armature spins freely with no rubbing or tight spots. This could be
caused by missing or damaged bearings or a damaged motor housing.
- Review the motor worm
gear and ensure the gear teeth are in good condition. Replace the
worm gear if gear teeth damage is found.
- Add a drop
of oil to each of the bearing felt pads - deleted in later applications.
- Ensure the brush
spring sleeve is present and in good condition with a shiny metal
surface. Replace if necessary.
Electrical
There are many electrical
connections and contacts used on the X03 and X04 motors. Each of these
must be in good condition to ensure the best performance of the motor.
To do this several areas need to be reviewed:
- Firstly check and ensure
that the solder joint between the wire from to the motor and the eyelet
that fits over the brush
spring sleeve is complete and sound. Replace
or remake this joint if any of the wire strands are broken or
not making contact.
- Inspect the eyelet for
any dirt or metal oxides that may have formed over the years. Clean
the brush spring back to clean shiny metal where it contacts the motor
brush.
- Inspect the brush
spring for any dirt or metal oxides that may have formed over
the years. Clean the brush spring back to clean shiny metal where
it contacts the motor brush and the screw that secures the magnet.
- Inspect and clean the
motor
brushes removing any dirt, oil and carbon deposits. Ensure the
carbon block is present and securely attached to the brass strip.
Clean the motor brushes back to clean shiny metal where they contact
the brush spring and eyelet.
- Remove any dirt, oil and
carbon deposits from between the commutator segments of the armature.
- Remove any dirt, oil and
carbon deposits from the commutator.
- Check the three solder
joints that secure the armature windings to the commutator, remake
these joints if necessary.
- The electrical connections
for a locomotive with an X03 and X04 motor are:
- Contact: Locomotive
wheel to track rail
- Contact: Wheel contact
to Locomotive wheel
- Solder joint: Wire
to wheel contact
- Solder joint: Motor
brush sleeve to wire
- Contact: Motor brush
to motor brush sleeve
- Solder joint: Motor
brush carbon block to motor brush
- Contact: Commutator
to motor brush carbon block
- Solder joint: Armature
wire to commutator
- Solder joint: Armature
wire to commutator
- Contact: Commutator
to motor brush carbon block
- Solder joint: Motor
brush carbon block to motor brush
- Contact: Motor brush
to brush spring
- Contact: Brush spring
brass bolt
- Contact: Brass bolt
to eyelet
- Solder joint: Eyelet
to wire
- Solder joint: Wire
to wheel contact
- Contact: Wheel contact
to wheel
- Contact: Wheel to
track rail
Magnetic
The magnetic field used by
the X03 and X04 motor is provided by a permanent magnet at the rear
of the motor. The magnetic field reaches the outside of the armature
by the use of steel plates that are also used as the housing for the
motor. To ensure the magnetic circuit is maintained the X03 and X04
motor uses various materials to ensure the magnetic field is not reduced.
- Ensure the magnet is secured
by the correct brass
screw.
- Ensure both the steel
housing plates make good tight contact with the magnet.
- Ensure the aluminum
plate adjacent to the magnet is fitted correctly.
- Ensure the brass
plate at the commutator end of the motor is fitted correctly.
The motor armature and the
2 steel housing plates act as the keeper for the permanent magnet. Once
the magnet is removed from the motor the magnetic circuit keeper function
will be lost and the magnet will lose some of it's strength. If the
magnet is removed from the motor, for whatever reason and even for the
briefest of moments, then once refitted, the magnet must be magnetised
in situ in the motor assembly. Specialised equipment is available to
do this.
General
Through experience we have
found that some X03 and X04 motors still do not perform well even with
all of these checks completed. This may be caused by a weak magnet or
internally damaged armature windings. These faults are outside the scope
of this article. There are many other possible faults with the earlier
locomotives with the open frame motors. This is intended as a simple
fault finding guide only. If the information above does not resolve
the fault then contact us for further information.
About the author:
Gary Harding has been working
with Hornby model locomotives for over 35 years and now operates Hornby
Train Restorations in the UK. Hornby Train Restorations is a Worldwide
internet based business that offers for sale high quality Hornby model
locomotives, coaches, wagons and Hornby spares from the 1960s to the
present day. All the restoration work is carried out to the highest
standards with the highest quality parts available. Only the best locomotives
are selected and the final result is a locomotive that is genuinely
like new.
Further help and advice relating
to this article or Hornby model locomotives in general can be found
at:
http://www.hornby-railway-trains.co.uk