. . . here’s a copy of some research I’ve done recently on Mabuchi motors.
The Mabuchi site (http://www.mabuchi-motor.co.jp/en_US/product/index.html) provides a wealth of detail for anyone interested in the characteristics of the motors used in many G scale locos.
The site’s Technical Guide points out that winding specifications greatly affect motor performance. Since Lewis states that winding information as it pertains to Aristo motors is proprietary, it’s clear that extrapolating data from Mabuchi’s performance chart simulations to, for example, a Dash-9’s motors is at best problematic.
A more general comparison of the motors used in the older locos (RDC-1, Dash-9) and the new GP-40 is interesting. It looks like the 385PH motor Lewis mentions has been superseded by the 385SH. Let’s compare this with the 545SH.
Neither of these motors will be found in the Toys & Models section of the Mabuchi site. Instead, they’re located under Home Appliances & Cordless Power Tools, specifically hair dryers!
Now I understand why my daughter rushed out and shot a quizzical look my way when the trains first started running in the garden!
The 385SH motor is also listed as suitable for printers and copy machines. That old parallel port printer you have lying around might well have the makings of a C-Liner buried somewhere deep inside!
Aside from hair dryers, typical 545SH applications include automatic cruise control in automobiles, massagers, vibrators, vacuum cleaners and bilge pumps.
The operating range of the 385SH is 6v - 24v, whereas the 545SH is 12v - 32v. Across the voltage range I examined (12 - 24 v at 30 degrees, in 6v steps), the 385SH outputs at least double the output (watts) of the 545SH. The 545SH produces considerably more torque, with the difference between it and the 385SH becoming more pronounced as the voltage increased.
The 385SH spins a lot faster than the 545SH, exceeding 17,000 rpm at 24v. By comparison, at 24v the 545SH is running a relatively sedate 4,510 rpm.
It is fair to say these are two very different motors.
I am interested in loco performance. Last summer, stimulated by the interesting experiments George Schreyer details on his web site, I ran a series of stress tests on various engines we own. The results left me with a great deal of respect for the Dash-9.
I’ve posted video segments of these experiments on other train forums. I’m currently putting together a video of the Dash-9 tests, with a link to the finished product to be posted as soon as editing is complete.
Based on the Mabuchi info, our two RDCs should be real surprise packets. George Schreyer’s comments on Aristo RDCs also suggest excellent pulling power, far greater (relatively speaking) than their prototype. I didn’t test the RDCs last summer, but that’s now on the drawing board.
I haven’t tested the GP-40 yet, either. It is the new kid on the block. I’m curious to see how its 545 motor compares with the mighty 385!
