******
Strathpeffer Junction: Home of the Original & Best ringfield motor upgrade kits.
We only use high-quality, branded motors and the very best materials. Every one of our products is vigorously tested before being offered to the public and every motor is checked by hand before shipping. We provide the most detailed assembly instructions and support videos on the market and offer a no-quibble refund in the unlikely event you're not happy. All of our adaptors are made using precision European plastics that can withstand the rigours of railway modelling for the long haul.
******
This listing is for a brand new OO Gauge 9mm Lima ringfield motor conversion kit for UK outline Co-Co diesels, King Class steam and others (see compatibility list below).
This is a lighter use adaptor kit, ideal for locos or units that see less frequent use and are not run with long, heavy rakes.
Each LA5 (9mm/Co-Co) kit includes:
- a replacement high-quality 6V motor
- computer-designed 3D-printed adaptor
- 2 x 8-tooth gears (one spare)
- a length of heat shrink tubing
You may need a diode voltage dropper to go with this kit. We sell those too! We've got quick and easy pre-assembled droppers and surface mount (SMD) or through-hole self-assembly kits. Check out our other listings for options.
A note about postage: We are happy to combine postage for multiple orders and most listings should do this automatically. If postage doesn't automatically combine, please drop us a message before you pay and we'll sort out a revised invoice. If you've already paid, drop us a line and we can refund the extra.
Compatibility
We have tested the adaptor in UK outline models marked with an asterisk below. Based on visual assessment, this adaptor should also work with all ringfield models listed. Very occasionally, light sanding may be required around the lugs to ensure clearance.
- Class 31*
- Class 37*
- Class 40*
- Class 47*
- Class 50*
- Class 52 (Western)*
- Class 55 (Deltic)*
- Class 57
- Class 59
- Class 60
- Class 66
- Class 92*
- Class 201 Irish Diesel
- King Class (Tender Drive)
- Fowler 4F 0-6-0 (Tender Drive)
★ We also have separate listings for 12mm/BoBo Lima adaptors, 10mm/Co-Co Lima adaptors and special Small Loco Lima adaptors (suitable for Class 08/09 shunters and GWR Prairie). Click on 'see other items' above for more information.
Installation
With these adaptors, installation is easy. They enable you to quickly replace aged ringfield motors in OO gauge models with CD-type motors, without the need for any messing around with glue or fiddly shaft alignment.
You simply remove the old motor and gear, pop the new motor into the adaptor, trim down the new gear and fit it onto the shaft, and then install the new assembly into the motor bogie. Everything is lined up and ready to go!
This kit requires no permanent adaptation to be made to the motor bogie and therefore the original ringfield (pancake) motor can be reinstalled at any time; the motor, adaptor and/or gear can be replaced with ease, if ever the need arises.
To read more about our ringfield adaptor kits and download detailed, step-by-step instructions. please the Strathpeffer Junction website. You can also watch our installation tutorial video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Pgx9IUDRM
Digital/DCC Use
Our upgrade kits can work really well on a DCC layout, however we strongly recommend that a decoder with CV2/CV5/CV6 functionality is fitted; a decoder with CV57 (motor voltage control) is even better. The functions will enable the starting voltage, top and mid speeds of the motor to be fine tuned (or, in the case of CV57, the voltage to be set) and make prototypical speeds more achievable. In most cases, it will also negate the need for a diode voltage dropper to be installed, although as with most decoder installations, you may still have to spend some time fine tuning CV values to get best possible performance.
Most decoders now have CV2/5/6 functionality as standard, but not all, so it's wise to check the product manual or specification before buying. CV57 functionality is not yet widespread. Please note that Hornby's 4, 6 & 8-pin decoders, their range of TTS sound decoders and Bachmann's entry level decoders are some examples of decoders that do not have any of these functions onboard. Whilst it is still technically possible to use such decoders with our upgrade kits, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve the same fine tuned speed characterises that you can with other decoders and the performance could vary considerably.
Without the option to alter CVs 2/5/6, you must: a) use a diode voltage dropper to reduce voltage going to the motor, and b) it is likely that you will then have to disable Back EMF and alter acceleration/deceleration CVs to suit. With Hornby TTS decoders, you may also have to switch to motor algorithm 2 and alter the associated P and I parameters, and if it's a diesel TTS sound decoder, you will also have to change the sound notch triggers to ensure that the sound matches the speed as close as possible (altering steam TTS decoder sound triggers is not recommended).
Altering CVs is almost always a case of trial and error and will be influenced significantly by the locomotive type, length of rake, track layout (incl. the number of inclines) and your own preferences for running characteristics. We strongly advise you to back up your decoder's CV settings before making changes and to change one CV at a time, then test; changing too many CVs at a time may confuse the overall picture. We also must reinforce the point that without CV5/CV6 functionality on your chosen decoder, it may not be possible to achieve your desired style of running/performance characteristics.
Using Hornby's TTS decoders as an example, we have found the following CV values to worked acceptably for Hornby's Class 37 (Un-refurbished) TTS decoder. The decoder was installed in a Lima Class 37 upgraded with our LA5 motor kit and our DD3 diode voltage dropper kit:
| Configuration Variable (CV) | Value | Configuration Variable (CV) | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV3 | 30 | CV154 | 20 |
| CV4 | 30 | CV210 | 12 |
| CV10 | 1 | CV211 | 5 |
| CV150 | 1 | CV212 | 20 |
| CV153 | 50 | CV214 | 40 |
| Note: Speeds steps should be set to 128 in order to provide fine low end control, however it is unlikely that you will ever wish increase speed steps beyond speed step ~30 on the controller, otherwise the speed of the model will be far too fast. | |||
As is always the case with CVs, there are so many factors involved, you may well find that different TTS sound decoders, let alone different types of decoder, will required different CV settings and, as such, the values are offered simply as an example and may not suit your own scenario. Where diodes are used alongside a digital decoder, you will also have to learn to 'drive' the model and apply power carefully to get the train moving, backing off a little when the desired speed is achieved.
Important considerations
1. Our replacement motors are low-noise DC motors designed for CD/DVD drives. The output from a DCC decoder or a DC controller can exceed their voltage rating depending on how hard hard the loco is being worked. Whilst our own tests (and those of many others before us) show that these motors are capable of handling voltages higher than their rating, 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 used 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 ajustment 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 to prevent the motor temperature from exceeding the glass transition temperature of the plastic.
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.
Feedback
Disclaimer
We can accept no liability or responsibility for any damage or injury occurring from the installation and use of our motor replacement kits. Installation requires modifications and the use of tools, some of which have the potential to damage you and/or you models, as well as other components and equipment. Users must not commence work unless they are confident that they have the skills and experience necessary to complete it successfully, and install these kits and undertake work to their models at their own risk.