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Post by farish on Aug 8, 2007 18:55:04 GMT -5
I thought I spend a few days checking the weight of my rolling stock. So, I pulled out the NMRA standard for car weight and it tells me that my formula is: 0.5 oz. + (0.15 oz. times length of car) Then I recalled a friend had suggested another formula and when I used his formula everything seemed to run right. The formula is: 0.25 oz. + (0.12 oz. times length of car) When I compare the calculated weight of each formula for a common length, I find that NMRA formula is 0.25 oz. heavier than the other formula. So 20 cars at the NMRA weight and 20 cars the other formula weight. All cars are 40’ box cars. No derailments, no floating wheels and no switch problems. Now comes a thought. It would seem logical that if I used the lighter weight formula that I would have less drag on the engine and thus the motor should last longer. Is this something that I should think about?
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Post by pcarrell on Aug 8, 2007 19:58:06 GMT -5
Theoretically you should be able to pull a couple more cars with your friends calculation.
As for motor life, I've found that it's not too big of a concern unless you're using pulse power. Pulse power is tough on motors. Also, motor life suffers in a DC motor if you consistantly run it on a DCC layout. Otherwise, by the time the motor wears out the motor technology has expanded to the point to where a motor upgrade is an attractive option.
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