hot motor question

[Kyle]

Hello all,
  I started on my toylander about 4 years ago and had a nice pushing toy for awhile but finally installed the motor yesterday (kids are old enough now.)  Ran well but did notice the motor seemed to get quite warm with driving for about an hour.  Is this normal or should I be concerned at all?
Thanks,
Kyle

[markh15]

Hi Kyle, and Welcome,

Can you define 'Quite Warm'. Is it too hot to touch with the hand? Or is it about the same temperature as your skin?

I'm sure that either Walter, or Brian will be abe to explain this better than me, but I would suggest that a slight increase in temperature is normal, as the the motor is converting friction into heat as it works.

Providing that there isn't a smell of burning, or the wiring getting excessively hot, I would think that it's OK.
Is the motor you've used Brand New, or is it one you've had for a while?

If it's a New one, I would have expected a little warming, as it might take a bit to 'Bed in' so to speak, due to the 'Newness'.

If it's a 'Second User' item, it may be a bearing problem. Can you turn the motor freely by hand?
If you can't, try to lubricate the bearings with a little WD 40, or Light Machine Oil (3-in-1 or similar), untill the spin freely.

That's all I can think to try for now, until my learned friends (Walter or Brian), come up with a better solution.

Hope this has helped a little,
Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.

[Kyle]

Thanks Mark.  It got pretty warm, warmer then body heat but no so hot to burn the skin.  There was the faint smell of warm oil but no raging flames or smoke.  Wires were not warm.  The motor was bought new as supplied from the toylander company about 3 or 4 years ago.  It has been sitting on a shelf all that time.
Kyle

[brian]

Hello Kyle, the motor will be fine at that kind of temperature.  Electric motors can run at a temperature too hot to keep a hand in place for more than a second and still be considered to be running within there operating range.

Regards and congratulations on your build completion,

Brian.

[multisync]

Hi Kyle
It's not easy to give a definitive answer without being there but it sounds OK to me.
If its very hot to touch and you would be afraid that someone may get burned, then there's a problem.
If its noticebly warm, but you can hold you hand on it for several seconds, then dont worry.
Another important point is that if it is seriously overheating, it will usually lose power. So if it continues to run ok then it is probably nothing to worry about.
Take care
Walter