Current PF M Motors

[j3tang]

I'm not quite sure where to post this and I thought about putting this into the Buy/Sell/Trade section too.

But mods, feel free to move it if it's not in the right spot.

In Canada right now, TRU is having a 20% sale on Technic sets. The last time they did this I bought 2 sets of the Power Functions Accessories Kit (M motor, receiver, light, 6xAA battery box, etc.) for my technic front loader to motorize it.

I remember seeing some comments around these forums about some new, more efficient motors that can run on the 6xAAA battery box that are supposed to run just as well as the old motors on the old 6xAA battery box. My guess is that the motor in this accessory kit won't be those new, more efficient motors. So would it not be wise to stock up on these accessory kits? I'm a huge train and technic fan, so I do foresee myself getting my hands on some of the smaller 6xAAA battery boxes that could come in handy for trains, but as of right now, I currently have no need for them, but i'm sure they'll always come in handy at some point.

Any thoughts?

[Zerobricks]

New more efficient motors? You got any examples of them? And how to tell them apart?

[Holodoc]

New more efficient motors? You got any examples of them? And how to tell them apart?

He is talking about the new train motor (it seems there is no item no. for it up to now...)

But this is how it looks like (completely assembled side shields and magnet):

It's easy how to distinguish the motors: This one comes with the cable assembled to the body.

The new motor is said to be more effective than the older ones, but the PF-M motor is more versatile.

So it all depends on what you are planning to do: If it is just for trains I would definitely go for the new train motor, if you are not sure to use it otherwise, well, then I would recommend the PF motor.

[j3tang]

right on!

I guess there's never harm in having spares/extras of the M motors since they'll get used up in a lot of MOC rather quickly

sorry to have confused the M motor with the train motors. Yes they're totally different and not quite comparable, but with the intro of the train motors i think a lot of the designs using M motors in trains get thrown out the window :P

Edited June 4, 2010 by j3tang

[Brickthus]

sorry to have confused the M motor with the train motors. Yes they're totally different and not quite comparable, but with the intro of the train motors i think a lot of the designs using M motors in trains get thrown out the window :P

For bogie diesel or electric engines, and steamers with motors in the tender, yes, the new PF train motor will be easier to use.

For steamers with powered driving wheels and diesel shunters, the M or XL motor is still the better way.

I'm testing a pair of PF train motors and the early results are encouraging. Performance so far is at least as good as 9V train motors. A lot better than the RC motors! I'll post some pictures in the Train Tech forum soon.

Remember you'll need a pole reverser switch to use two PF train motors with the wires both exiting at the coupling or non-coupling ends!

Mark

[Jetro]

Remember you'll need a pole reverser switch to use two PF train motors with the wires both exiting at the coupling or non-coupling ends!

Wouldn't an extention wire suffice?

[Parax]

Wouldn't an extention wire suffice?

I think Mark is referring to the direction of the bogies, the cable need to be leading or trailing at both ends, you cannot have both wires in the middle (or on the outside) without reversing one.

P.

[Brickthus]

I think Mark is referring to the direction of the bogies, the cable need to be leading or trailing at both ends, you cannot have both wires in the middle (or on the outside) without reversing one.

P.

That's right.

Some links to PF Train Motor test pictures:

Electric Parts

Test Bogie top and bottom

Test Coach 1, 2, 3

Test info

More in the Train Tech forum, including test train pictures.

Mark