I recently read about someone using adhesive caulk to mount a motor in a repowering project, as the caulk acts as a vibration dampener of sorts. I have DAP adhesive caulk, Alex Extra and Alex Ultra. This would be a round can motor (metal housing) to be attached to styrene plastic. If one of these is best, which one or are they equally usable. If there is a better product, let me know! Thanks, Cedarwoodron
Cedarwoodron:
I’m not familiar with the Alex Extra or Ultra, but the DAP caulk should work quite well. Not to confuse the issue, but I use clear Silicone gel, myself. Sets up in about an hour, cures totally in about 12, which gives you plenty of time for positioning and adjusting on the frame.
Tom
I haven’t actual done a remotoring, so what follows is just my opinion, I cannot say I have tried it for real. Was it me, I would use silicone bathtub caulk rather than acrylic weatherstrip caulk (e.g. DAP). I think the bathtub caulk is a little stronger.
I have used 3M double sided foam tape that is the outdoor grade. It holds quite well.
DAP acylic latex with silicone, the Alex Plus, should do a fine job, and it can be easily removed if you ever need to replace the new motor.
I use foam tape as well, the heavy duty grade intended for outdoor applications (maybe the same as what you use, I chucked the package long ago and kept only the tape). I find it works much better for me than any sort of caulk, is very controllable, and holds up well over time. I have locos with replacement motors mounted on foam tape for 20 years or more with no sign of trouble. It’s simple to remove if you need to pull the motor out, and Goo Gone eliminates any adhesive residue. I use the same tape for mounting DCC decoders.
I have used bath caulk, the type without the silicone. I avoid silicone because of the acetic acid in it when it is curing. My choice. The caulk allowed me to set the gear lash quite nicely in steamers. where this issue is important.
Rich
I think the foam tape would interfere with the mesh of the worm gear with the wheel axle, by raising the motor a small bit from the surface it will sit in, so the caulk is the winner! Thanks, Cedarwoodron
3M double sided works for most Diesel remotoring as long as the tape will satisfactorily position the height desired. As stated the foam may not allow for steam gear lash.
I prefer RTV black and if needed will fabricate a cradle or mount from cut PVC 1" pipe couplings. The curvature of 1" seems to fit most can motors. If the motor can sit low in the frame the RTV alone will work on the diesel chassis. I will dry fit some sort of shims first before adding the RTV silicone.
DAP Alex Plus will not work anywhere as well as silicone, especially if you need to fill a void of more than 1/8". The DAP is better used as we do for track laying where spread thin for bonding. I won’t even use the DAP for bath/ tile or fixture work. Phenoseal or bath Silicone caulks does better.