loco motors

[brianmcs]

Hello all , am about to start an SSM J15 build. just wondering what people think about which motor to use . I do have a mashima I bought some years ago but am wondering if there is any point in buying an expensive motor like a maxon / faulhaber  ?

[Mike 84C]

Mashima in my Bandon tank runs perfectly, with a High level gearbox and I have used the plunger pickups in the kit. Bought as a bundle from SSM.

[Andy Cundick]

Absolutely not. Mashima motors and High Level gearboxes are what i regard as the heavenly twins most of my 21mm locos run with them.The new motors from High Level are just as good.  now on my fourth J15 still its most suitable for the next Irish layout Newmarket. Happy modelling Andy

[Broithe]

Mashima - a marvellous supplier, who closed down in the most organised and pleasant manner - so 'Japanese'...

[Horsetan]

17 minutes ago, Broithe said:

Mashima - a marvellous supplier, who closed down in the most organised and pleasant manner - so 'Japanese'...

You can imagine the fella bowing politely when handing over the letter.

[brianmcs]

thanks guys , that helps a lot.

[Horsetan]

3 hours ago, brianmcs said:

Hello all , am about to start an SSM J15 build. just wondering what people think about which motor to use . I do have a mashima I bought some years ago but am wondering if there is any point in buying an expensive motor like a maxon / faulhaber  ?

Coreless motors are more efficient, but more so if combined with a reversible geartrain, such as a combination of bevels and spur gears, or crossed helical gears. The problem is that virtually nobody produces gearboxes like these for 4mm scale use. Slaters do make a small crossed helical box - at a price - but it still needs to be teamed with spur gears to achieve the desired overall ratio.

Bear in mind that Mashimas won't last forever and spares won't be easy to obtain now.

[Andy Cundick]

Couple of points if you use coreless motors be careful .as feedback controllers as they can fry them.As for Mashima motors  i have not ha to replace one yet , i had Bruckless out at a show the other day and at least 10 of the  locos/railcars are in there 30s all operating with their original motors not bad considering their are running on their fifth Donegal layout with at least another one to come.Andy

[David Holman]

I've had one Mashima go in 20+ years. Now use High Level and because I use a feedback controller, keep to their open frame motors, which seem perfectly happy with the controller