Advice Wanted On Whether To Leave Point Motors Outdoors Over Winter

Not any more; I retired over 17 years ago. :rofl::rofl:
 
G-force1 said:
As it happens, for telephone cables, external are usually black and internal are usually white or cream. They are also different plastics though.
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UV resistance of external-grade telephone cable is more to do with the different plastic, than the colour..
CW1157 (also known as 'dropwire 10') is available in black, brown, and white..
CW1308 (the 'white' stuff in your house, is a different plastic, and is also available in black!
 
The majority of my (LGB) motors have been outside for well over 10 years with very few problems. I don't seal up the screw holes in the cover, but I do cover the terminals for the control wires with a small square of black insulating tape. Occasionally this goes walkies, but usually lasts between autumn and spring with no problems. I also cover the EPL switch holes (I don't use many of these) with insulating tape, which on the newer EPL switches also covers the join between the motor and the switch. I don't know if this helps, but it seemed to be reasonable thing to do.

The only place where I have had problems are where drainage is poor and they have become furred up with carp and once I had one frozen solid (when I was daft enough to run a Christmas service for the kids). I have a couple of spare motors fettled up for a quick exchange so I can take problem motors indoors. My railway is at ground level, so bending over fixing point motors has been known to attract so-called "witty" comments from family members and the unwelcome attention of our cat.

I don't use WD40 and would recommend GT85 (www.GT85.com - no connection with them) which is PTFE based and "dry". I'm pretty sure I bought my last tin in Halfords.

I like the roofing felt idea will give that a try.

Best regards
Tony D
 
And here's me thinking this would be a well worn subject and I would get a kind of parliamentary "I refer the speaker to my previous answer" kind of response, but no it seems that there is always fresh advice to give and with 24 responses to date I have learned quite a few techniques for potentially prolonging the life of my layout. I love this forum, thanks everyone.
 
Just had am LGB point motor fail. It has been outside for probably 10 years. There is a problem with the wires to the motor at the connector block. Easily fixed, I'll just solder a couple of wires direct to the bottom of the connector block.
 
chris m01 said:
Just had am LGB point motor fail. It has been outside for probably 10 years. There is a problem with the wires to the motor at the connector block. Easily fixed, I'll just solder a couple of wires direct to the bottom of the connector block.
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Take the block out and hard wire a flying lead Chris.

I've done this with a couple of my motors....
 
Tanker man said:
G-force1:
Blue, orange, green, brown, slate............... Mean anything to you???????
Dave
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White ,red,black yellow ,violet....the next units! I still work with it.
 
Love the roofing felt toupee :)

What do you fix it down with? I'm thinking hot melt, so it can easily be removed?

Cheers

Tony D
 
PhilP said:
UV resistance of external-grade telephone cable is more to do with the different plastic, than the colour..
CW1157 (also known as 'dropwire 10') is available in black, brown, and white..
CW1308 (the 'white' stuff in your house, is a different plastic, and is also available in black!
Click to expand...

I use external cat 5 left over from various projects, some black, some purple
 
Ozymandius said:
Love the roofing felt toupee :)

What do you fix it down with? I'm thinking hot melt, so it can easily be removed?

Cheers

Tony D
Click to expand...

It is hot melt, but unmelted. Just cut to size and lay it on, the sun will do the rest. They peel off easily and are just used again.
 
I was looking for some Roofing Felt the other day and surprised to find this little stash......
image.jpeg
On the well you know.
JonD
 
"PhilP, post: On the roof??

Hat, coat, door.."

It turns out you are right, I don't have any spare roofing felt.

Here's your coat, welcome back... :rolleyes:
 
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