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rangerssteamtoys

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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Best Regards, Ranger Moore

Mamodman123 · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject:

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!
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You could get a nice flatbase for that

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rangerssteamtoys · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:

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
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Best Regards, Ranger Moore

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject:

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
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rangerssteamtoys · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

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.
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Best Regards, Ranger Moore

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

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!!!
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rangerssteamtoys · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

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
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Best Regards, Ranger Moore