 Joined: 15/09/2023(UTC) Posts: 103 Location: Ely, England
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Not that long ago I bought from a mate three large boxes of HO plastic (second-hand, already made) kits.
I dug one out this evening, a Faller 231 Windmill.
As it had wires attached, I thought I'd give it a go
and see if it still worked.
Coupled up 12v DC and lights came on and motor sort of hummed a bit.
Had a closer look and inside, there seems to be a yellow disc that turns
with what I think is a cog on it.
However, there does seem to be a bit of wear as the cogs look broken -
and to my eyes 'fluffy' although they're not. The yellow disc does turn
sometimes but in a sort of elipical fashion.
Now I'm no expert so can anyone impart any advice, details or whatever please?
While not necessary, it'd be nice to have this working on the layout.
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 2 users liked this useful post by dave55uk
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 Joined: 31/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 3,994 Location: Paremata, Wellington
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Originally Posted by: dave55uk  Not that long ago I bought from a mate three large boxes of HO plastic (second-hand, already made) kits.
I dug one out this evening, a Faller 231 Windmill.
As it had wires attached, I thought I'd give it a go
and see if it still worked.
Coupled up 12v DC and lights came on and motor sort of hummed a bit.
Had a closer look and inside, there seems to be a yellow disc that turns
with what I think is a cog on it.
However, there does seem to be a bit of wear as the cogs look broken -
and to my eyes 'fluffy' although they're not. The yellow disc does turn
sometimes but in a sort of elipical fashion.
Now I'm no expert so can anyone impart any advice, details or whatever please?
While not necessary, it'd be nice to have this working on the layout. Hi Dave, Those early Faller motors are a surprisingly simple design. Basically they rely on the changing wave-cycle of AC power, hence they won't work on DC. That's the first important detail and it might be just that. The disk sits against the small bristles (the fluffy stuff) and their sole purpose is to keep the motor going in just one direction. There are no cogs as such. It should look similar to mine below (exploded). The screw in the black arm is to control the speed. There is really only one thing that goes wrong with them and that's the thin rubber film in the centre of the disk. They simply wear out and become elongated so that the axle is no longer gripped. But... I would first test it with AC because that's my guess why it's not working. If the disk rubber is worn, (I haven't tried this myself but I know the motor style very well), if you could find some rubber sheet of similar thickness you might try gluing it over the worn portion, pierce a new hole in the centre and push the axle through If the motor is truly kaput, you can usually find replacements on ebay etc, or even here. And there are modern versions that do the same thing, #629, or 180629. A few kits have very limited space where the newer motor may not fit. Hope this helps.   |
Cookee Wellington  |
4 users liked this useful post by cookee_nz
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Joined: 31/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 3,994 Location: Paremata, Wellington
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Found an even earlier version of the Faller 630 which I thought I'd share photos of, early days indeed and you really have to take your hat off to the Faller Brothers, 9Hermann in particular) for their early technical innovations in the hobby market  - (click to rotate and read)  Read this excellent article by our own Marco in the history of Faller... https://marklinstop.com/...y-of-the-faller-company/ |
Cookee Wellington |
4 users liked this useful post by cookee_nz
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Joined: 15/09/2023(UTC) Posts: 103 Location: Ely, England
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Thanks Cookie, I'll see if I can replace that rubber centre bit. I did try it on AC (although I forgot to mention that in my OP) and got exactly the same result. As I mentioned, it does try and turn and you can see the windmill blades moving very slightly so I think the motor is working.   
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1 user liked this useful post by dave55uk
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 Joined: 27/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,478 Location: Holland
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Hi Dave and Hi Steve, These early Faller motors are very, very close to my heart ! The motor was designed by Hermann Faller and first appeared in the Faller watermill and windmill in 1951. Later they were also used (slightly modified) in the Faller B-215 round cafe and B-905 skyscraper. I collect these motors, I buy them (new and used) when I bump into one on swapmeets or on the internet and I repair them too. On the internet you can find many INCORRECT bullshit descriptions about how this motor works, which is actually a shame. Fortunately, there is also a good and correct and very detailed description, that also tells how to repair the membrane of the motor. In German language, but you can use a translator. Not mine but see here: http://mobatechnikblog.b...telmotor-von-faller.htmlI want to do a new forum post about this early Faller motor for years (I have a lot of them in all different versions), but so many things to do. Maybe next year. Marco |
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5 users liked this useful post by kweekalot
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Joined: 15/09/2023(UTC) Posts: 103 Location: Ely, England
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Excellent Marco. I will try the bicycle patch cure tomorrow. Thanks.
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1 user liked this useful post by dave55uk
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