OK, I can glue bits together, but for the life of me toy motors and gears have me baffled! I need help!
Years ago I bought a somewhat embattled Century 21 Toys Mobile Combat and Bridge Tank #507. It's based on a Marx tank body I think. It's not working.
This is what a good one looks like from years ago on MC.
Although I've never seen it in action I think the toy moves along and stops to extend it's huge folding pontoon that's sat on the roof. I'd love mine to work! It doesn't.
Feeling buoyed by my Diver I got the tank out to have a look. It's a mess!
I don't think the double motor unit is from this toy. It's far too big! See what you think.
There is a switch, which I've taken off in a fit of zest. Maybe it has two actions? To start the tank and to lower the bridge?
Having said that, the box says nothing about it lowering the bridge so maybe it's just for show.
What I really need is a picture of the inside of this toy in it's proper state. Does anyone have one?
Maybe even the inside workings of a Marx battery tank motor assembly?
Help!
well, its official. I cant repair motor units! Having spent a couple of hours fiddling with batteries, paper clips, metal cogs and a little DC motor I got to start once, I've thrown in the towel. Give me super glue, plastic and string!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to help Woodsy, but my skills are arty and crafty, not electronic or engineering.
ReplyDeleteOf course, in my old workplace at the BBC Vis. FX dept. there'd have been a whole bunch of guys who would have stepped forward and fixed your toy in minutes.
If I have a suggestion, it would be to check all the battery and other contact points, clean them up, with a knife or sandpaper maybe, put in all new batteries, and switch it all on again.
You never know !
Aw thanks Mish, very kind anyway. All good advice. I've left it all for today and may return to it tomorrow but the Grandkids are due this weekend for 5 days so it may all just be filed away for a week!
DeleteSome old motors will have components that decay over time, particularly capacitors. If that happens they'd need replacing or there's no hope.
ReplyDeleteSounds like old age!
DeleteOh, and check all the wires are still connected. If not, soft solder them back on, if you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mish, I do have a soldering iron somewhere.
DeleteAs you got the motor going once, it could just be a dodgy connection that needs mending.
ReplyDeleteIt was the paperclip method.
DeleteIt could be, or that could've been its last gasp!
ReplyDeletedefinately sounds like old age!
DeleteThe toothed cogs that drive the wheels are metal and stick. One of them has lost its end rivet so falls out. I've created a stopper for that but the three cogs seem stubborn and now the motor won't work when I use the battery/paperclip method. One of the contacts on the motor has gone too. Jeepers, I need the Repair Shop for this!
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me like theres a main drive motor and the secondary motor for the bridge, but judging by the state of the innards, theres some gearing missing, as well as a lot of wiring. Without a complete one as a guide, theres little hope. Its a display only model! Bill
ReplyDeleteIts the wrong motor Bill. Someone's shoved it in with the toy box, presumably to use it for parts at some point.
DeleteOh dear, your brain has definitely tanked! Cast your mind back to december 2021....I sent you pix of mine (and a short vid of it trundling across my carpet) . Must admit I put it to one side (it needs a replacement rod to attach bridge to tank) and havnt got around to fix it.
ReplyDeleteIf you cant find the pix (sent 17,18,21/12/21) I can resend (finally have decent internet).
Looks like yours has had major surgery on its innards...
Wow, it has tanked Timmy and so nice to hear from you again! I hope your'e well. I shall scurry off and look for those pics and video in my Gmail. I must have been asleep in 2021!
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