Just picked up a Lionel 6-8665 GP9. I want to run this thing at low speed around the Christmas tree, but that Pullmor motor is quite noisy. Should I replace it? If so, what options are there? Any advice would be appreciated.
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That locomotive dates to the mid-1970's. The motor is integral with the truck.
IMHO, the motors themselves usually aren't that noisy.
Did you try running it with the reversing unit (e-unit) turned off?
Most of the noise typically comes from the e-unit.
I'd start by doing maintenance on the motor. Grease the gearbox, oil the top bearing, and clean the commutator and brush holders.
As mentioned, most of the noise is usually the E-Unit coil buzzing. There are fixes that you can try, one being a simple diode in series with the coil to use DC on it. Sometimes you need a capacitor across it to totally kill the buzzing, but it can be made very quiet that way.
You could also replace the mechanical E-Unit with an electronic reverse unit, the Dallee Model 400 handles AC motors.
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:
That locomotive dates to the mid-1970's. The motor is integral with the truck.
IMHO, the motors themselves usually aren't that noisy.
Did you try running it with the reversing unit (e-unit) turned off?
Most of the noise typically comes from the e-unit.
E unit is off and greatly reduced the noise, but that motor. I'm running a simple layout and have no need for reverse function. This engine has been in a box since it was purchased, so, like new? I did clean and lube the gearbox, but getting into the motor assy to lube is what I need help with. Original paperwork shows lube points on the truck but no points on the motor. Can't find much info on motor lube points. Will this have any effect on the buzzing? Thanks
If you remove the two screws on the motor brush plate, you can lift the brush plate off. There will be a field wire soldered to it, but usually it's long enough to remove the plate. Don't lose the brushes, they're loose.
You can then lift the armature out and see the gear at the bottom. Cleaning and lubing that with fresh grease is always a good idea on an old locomotive. Cleaning the armature commutator with Scotchbrite or similar will help, as well as cleaning the brush holders (tubes where the brushes live). You'll want to put a drop of oil on the top armature shaft, and then put the brush plate back on. I normally put it on, then use a spring-hook to lift the springs and slip the brushes in, much easier than trying to get them all in without dumping them out.
Those motors run on AC or DC, so you can try powering it with a bridge rectifier and perhaps a large filter filter capacitor, that might quiet it down a bit.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
If you remove the two screws on the motor brush plate, you can lift the brush plate off. There will be a field wire soldered to it, but usually it's long enough to remove the plate. Don't lose the brushes, they're loose.
You can then lift the armature out and see the gear at the bottom. Cleaning and lubing that with fresh grease is always a good idea on an old locomotive. Cleaning the armature commutator with Scotchbrite or similar will help, as well as cleaning the brush holders (tubes where the brushes live). You'll want to put a drop of oil on the top armature shaft, and then put the brush plate back on. I normally put it on, then use a spring-hook to lift the springs and slip the brushes in, much easier than trying to get them all in without dumping them out.
Those motors run on AC or DC, so you can try powering it with a bridge rectifier and perhaps a large filter filter capacitor, that might quiet it down a bit.
I'll give it a try, thanks for the help.
