Repowering a Tyco Power Torque drive

[Bernd]

This thread is in regards to J. Mesa (aka: a440) post (link: http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/t...TOPIC_ID=50534 ) about a video on modifying a Tyco Power Torque. I discovered the vidoe last year in search of how to replace the motor of a Power Torque drive. I found the video a bit missleading. When the author shows that he free-handed the drilling of the motor pinion with a drill, I said no way. As soon as the two edges of the drill grap the gear it will spin. Don't believe me then give it a try. Also free hand drilling will not give you a straight hole through the center of the gear. I did a little step by step for posting on how I went about modifing the Tyco drive.

More in the next post.

Bernd

[Bernd]

I search E-bay for the pancake style motors and found a vendor that sold them in multiples at a time. I don't remember the vendor now but will look for them if needed. The motors are slightly thicker than the disk drive ones that have been used. This will basically reduce the minimum curve the engine will go around. The mod requires at least a drill press. I used a lathe and a mill to do the modifications.

Here's the Tyco drive we are talking about. The motor already has been replaced in this view.



This is what the motor block looks like with the guts pulled out of it. I have noticed that in manufacturing this blocked has been changed on some models.



I used a piece of aluminum plate to make a fixture to hold the motor level for cleaning out the area where the motor fits in.



I also made a holder to hold the motor pinion to open the hole to the size of the motor. This fixture will hold the gear square to the bore and keep it from turning during the machining of the bore. You can see the gear sitting in the cavity of the fixture.



The plate is laying on the mill with a motor block ready to be milled out so the motor will fit. The tool used is a counter bore with a pilot that is the size of the motor shaft.



The tool mounted in the machine ready to clean out the bore where the motor will fit in. This can be done in a drill press. Make sure you use the lowest speed possible.



Using a reamer of the size of the motor, I believe it's 3mm, I reamed the bushing the motor shaft rides in.



The reamed bushing and partial milled out motor block.



Tyco un-modified block on the left and a modified block on the right.



Un-modified block on right and the modified block on the left with the reamed out bushing installed.



The purchased motor from E-bay.



The motor installed and silicone caulk carefully spread into the gap between motor and motor block.



The pinion in the fixture. The part on the left is screwed onto the gear to hold in place to allow reaming the bore.



The pinion fixture fully assembled with the pinion and ready to have the bore reamed out.



The motor and pinion installed ready for a test run.



While I was at it I installed Athearn nickel plate wheels sets for better electrical pickup.



The completed Tyco motor block with new motor and new wheels.



I plan on doing a bit more on the truck such as adding extra wipers for better power pick up. I haven't installed the motor block in an engine yet. This was more of an experiment to see if I could do one of these modes and find a sufficient amount of motors to do such a conversion. I friend of mine runs a "previously enjoyed model items" store and he wanted to know if I could come up with a better motor for the Tyco motor blocks.

Questions? Ask away. I'll try and answer them.

Bernd

[tct855]

Bernd,

Wow, interesting project. You put a little thought into this.

Very informative. I'll be watching you. Thanx Thom...

[a440]

Can you do commissions for railroaders wanting their locos modded? also can the motors run on DCC? Also, thanks for your post

[Bill_Gill]

Bernd, you've replaced locomotive motors, regeared motors, added pickups and decoders and more...I expect someday to see a thread where you have built a working HO scale steam engine. Good stuff!

[Frank_Palmer]

Bernd, most excellent my friend.

[Bernd]

quote:

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Originally posted by a440

Can you do commissions for railroaders wanting their locos modded? also can the motors run on DCC? Also, thanks for your post

---

I don't do commissions. I have to many projects to do including finishing off the house I live in. The motors should be OK to use with DCC since they do not draw much current.

The idea of the thread is to show how it can be done properly with hopes that a person can find alternatives to make the parts or modify the parts properly. The video's I watched left a lot to be desired. Good machine tooling is needed for doing such a project accurately. I don't see how holding parts in your hand can be used on a re-motoring project such as this and have it work properly in the end.

Bernd

[Bernd]

thom, Bill and Frank,

Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated.

Bill stated: "I expect someday to see a thread where you have built a working HO scale steam engine."

The world smallest steam engine has already been built. I just need to figure out how to purchase one. I'll install it in a N scale steam engine. [^]

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-16147965

Bernd