Either its a generator or a meccano motor, but not both

rangerssteamtoys · Either its a generator or a meccano motor, but not both

Is Jensen cheating a bit by using a meccano 3 volt motor for a generator or is it just me. This is what I'm talking about

And it for sale by Jensen for 84 USD, to me it looks like a meccano motor. I coudl buy a whole bunch of meccano motors and make little generators.

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Mamodman123

If they are using it then yes it is cheating a bit....

I'd rather make my own than pay 40 odd quid for that!

rangerssteamtoys

Heres a good place that sells generators for their wind generator kit. They produce .5 to 2 volts at a .4 amps. A wind mill doesnt ge taht many rpms so they may work good in steam engines. And their cheap VERY CHEAP

http://kidwind.org/windshopfiles/...buildingmats.html#Mini_Water_Pump

Cool website, that may be useful

IndianaRog

Hey Ranger...the Jensen 15E generator pictured in your message WAS in fact equipped with a 3V Meccano DC motor as you observed. Jensen made this version for their lighter weight engines like the 60, 65 and 85 so that they too could power a generator. The standard Jensen 15 generator just takes too much umph for those models to light a bright light.

So....a 3V DC Meccano motor can indeed become a 3V DC generator...that is the beauty of them...you can find most any DC can style motor and make a dandy generator out of it, so long as you match the right bulb with it.

Unfortunately Jensen has discontinued selling the 15E generator model, not sure why but I think it was something to do with availability of that little motor...but not sure. I still see them listed new from some resellers, so they are still around.

If you look on my Jensen 51 replica, the DC motor I have mounted on a little pedestal is in fact that very same Meccano motor sans it's black plastic housing...I refit it inside a cut section of a permanent marker which I then fit inside a nice brass mount. It works great!!! I also recently picked up off eBay a spare one of those DC Meccano motors used....paid 90 cents US for it (from UK) and about $4 USD to ship it...just wanted a spare for my 51R should they actually become hard to get.

Sooooo, rummage thru your spare motors from slot cars or whatever you have and whip up a generator. I can tell you from experience that the best bulb for the Meccano motor is the #352X, Jensen used to supply them, don't know if they still do.

cheers,
Rog

rangerssteamtoys

Thanks, I know that any dc motor produces electricity but didnt know it would light a little lamp. I got a meccano 6 volt motor and so now I need to get a bulb for it.

IndianaRog

Ranger, best 6 Volt bulb for a DC generator that I have found is called a #502...available from www.bulbster.com

Problem is they charge about 7 USD for shipping 1 or 21 bulbs.
You could probably get away with a 3V #14 from Radio Shack...two for $1.59 USD around here. It might not last it's rated life running at higher voltage, but should look good trying!!!

rangerssteamtoys

Thanks, I'm going to have to try my little meccano motor and see how many volts it producing. Maybe rig up a little system so it attaches to my jensen 60 and being geared up. I'm still building a box for my other generator that powered thoes bright leds, so when I get the time I will se what happens