Hello to all,
I have decided to have a go at doing some ball bearing conversions to my loks. I have seen on amazon 3mm bearings for sale by a manufacture named UXCELL. Does anyone know if these are any good or should I order directly from a bearing supply company. I would hate to install them just to find out they are junk.
Also; I need the link to the bearing conversion thread.
Thanks in advance,
Mikey

Edited by user 13 May 2023 15:13:37(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I've converted all my Märklin locos with ball bearings, there are some benefits you will experience, I have found the locos do run quieter, secondly you will not have to oil the rear or front of the armature and this will save you a lot of maintenance in future, the other thing I've found the brush plate hasn't been modified for years although its a new type brush plate, the brush holder itself can create noise as it is most the time not 100% correctly aligned, I think its worth while adding BB to your locos so long you are aware of the pitfalls I've mentioned.

you have to be very careful with the rear of the motor, if you don't drill a whole 10% perfectly you will find the rotor will not turn., some of the old loco motor blocks can also be out of alignment (very rare) as the original motor had much more play., whereas the 5 pole motor needs more accuracy,
All in all, it doesn't depend only on your installation also of the bits I've mentioned above.,

there are ball bearings available: 1.5mm x 4mm x 2mm , 2mm x 5mm x 2.5mm (both respond to the armature) at the rear of the motor

John

Jean:
In your Post #2 you mentioned that the Ball bearings- It will not in any way reduce the noise of old gears (wear or old/unprecise manufacturing).

I am wondering if anyone has taken the motor out of a locomotive, put in an abrasive on the teeth of the gears in the housing, and run it for 30 minutes- 1 hour and basically try to smooth the teeth (ie using toothpaste)??

I have the old red BR120 #3353, I just recently converted it to digital and it runs loud (expression I have seen used is "like a coffee grinder".) Oiling the motor bearings helps reduce the noise, but after running for about >30 minutes, it becomes very loud again.

Thanks,