Lima Ringfield Replacement CD Motor & Adaptor 12V Kit (LA6/12MM/Bo-Bo)

Usage Advice

1.  Our replacement kits use only high quality DC motors that have been comprehensively tested with both DC and DCC track voltages. Whilst the motors will be fine without a voltage dropper for the vast majority of layouts, the output from certain controllers can exceed 12V, depending on make, model and any user voltage output settings (some DCC controllers can can even output in excess if 15V). From our own testing and experience, we are confident that our motor kits are capable of handling voltages higher than the motor rating, however, to be on the safe side, for scenarios where track voltage may be considerably higher than 12V, in order to avoid motor burn-out, prolong motor life and achieve prototypical speeds, we recommend:

• • For DC/Analogue use, speeds are kept low manually via the controller and a diode* voltage dropper should be considered in order to reduce voltage going to the motor (as outlined in the instructions);
• • For DCC use, speeds are kept low manually via the controller, decoders should have their CV5 value reduced (if available) and, particularly where CV5 adjustment is not available, a diode* voltage dropper should be considered in order to reduce voltage going to the motor (as outlined in the instructions).

2.  With all CD-style motor conversions, it is good practice to: i) maintain very high speeds for relatively short periods only, ii) keep running on steep inclines to a minimum, iii)  avoid coupled up with excessively long rakes of coaches/wagons, and iv) where less robust 10mm motors are fitted, resist the temptation to fit additional weight to the loco.

3.  It is recommended that locomotives fitted with our 3D printed adaptor kits are not run for more than an hour continuously. This is principally to reduce wear on the motor, through a build up in heat.

4. We recommend that locomotives fitted with can-style CD motors are:

• • Not run without a DCC decoder as ‘Locomotive 0’ on a DCC model railway layout (this is will lead to over-heating and rapidly ruin the motor), and
• • Not placed on the tracks whilst a high frequency track cleaner (such as the Gaugemaster HF-1/HF-2)  is in operation. There have been some reports that the frequency can damage the motors, although it is not something that we have tested.