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Balboa Drive Train Headache

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:24 pm
by mec_alf
Currently driving me up the wall, metaphorically speaking, is a Balboa B-1 Berkshire. :(
The problem is that I can't get the motor and gearbox to work together. I've tried 2mm flexible silicon tubing but it wraps itself into a 3-D Mobius strip - pretty but it does nothing for operating. The motor shaft is 2mm diameter, while the gearbox's is 2.4mm diameter and ALL of the replacement drivetrain components in my collection are slightly under 2.4mm diameter. The distance between the two faces is 31mm and the gap between the shaft ends is 6.86mm.

Any sensible suggestino would be appreciated, as I would like to get the unit operational.

Re: Balboa Drive Train Headache

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 4:04 pm
by raifenton
Hi maineu18b(??)

Suggestions:
1. Use thicker-walled stiffer silicon tubing (Branchline 1.9 mm should fit both shafts).
2. Can worm-shaft be turned easily by hand? If not then correct this.
3. Use NWSL 2.00mm (plus 2.4 mm adaptors) Universal coupler set item #482-6.

Cheers
Rai Fenton

Re: Balboa Drive Train Headache

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:17 pm
by mec_alf
Thanks Rai,

I've installed a short length of brass tubing into the silcon tubing and that seems to have resolved the power-transmission problem.

I've just got to repair the trailing truck, after which the loco will be tested on a club layout. If all goes properly then it gets chipped; otherwise it'll become a, rather expensive, hangar (shed?) queen.