9V train development

[Mandy33]

Hello,

I am aware of that a Canadian company called Fx-Bricks is currently developing an alternative to the old 9v train motor but nothing new has come from them since I saw some YouTube videos.

Without knowing what they plan I want to try to make a even better version with my limited possibilities of a average house workshop and basic knowledge.

I brainstormed some functions, please add some which you think would be cool.

+Digitalised

+Realististic acceleratation, brakes

+Sound?

There will be a lot of hurdles to overcome.  Some I see already on the horizont, others will surely turn up in the process. Most of them are I don't know yet how to manufacture it without superexpensive equipment.

I also wanted to know,  is there still a demand for such old motors or is powerfunctions superior?

I will try to develop it anyway but if there is a high demand i would invest more energy into its looks and will not stop after being happy to able to bring a selfbuilt black plastic block to run on tracks..🤣

Please share your thoughts on this.

 

Many thanks in advance

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lok24]

Hi,

if you intend to develop something you just to develop the  pick up of voltage from the tracks.

The you can then use
- any DCC Decoder with sound and load control
- any lego Motor

so what you need is an axle with metal reels an some contacs on the flankes or on top.

 

[Mandy33]

Thank you for your fast reply.

I plan not to "invent the wheel new" and will fall back of already existing solutions in the electronics parts. 

Yes I saw already some solutions with copper current collectors but to be honest they don't look good and create lot of drag resistance.

 

 

 

[Lok24]

That's why I mentioned metal reels and some contact on the back of the wheel, like many model railways do.

Or: As your axles have an  isolation in the middle, you can  pick up from the two half-axles.

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by Lok24

[davidzq]

While FX brick can be a little slow on their updates on the website (as they generally only post when there's new releases), Michael Gale does fairly regular development updates On his Flickr page. The latest being only a month ago.

 

All of those functions are currently possible using the FX Brick or a DCC encoder, if you're willing to modify a 9v motor (add a PF cable to it).