I have a Kato NW2 switcher and would like to pull the motor and remotor an Atheran sw 1500. Is this possible? If so,where would I start. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Start here: http://www.ppw-aline.com/re-power.htm
Your Kato should have a 2.0mm shaft. The 20021 flywheels use a 2.0 shaft and come with Athearn style drive shaft couplers. The flywheels are tapered to fit inside a SW body. Call or email PPW and ask their opinion.
The book at the bottom of the PPW link is one of the best if you want to start repowering.
Jim
Just puzzled?? Why would you want to cannibalize a Kato to re-power an Athearn??[%-)] Might just be easier to buy a new motor that fits your switcher.
the kato loco has a broken truck and I bought the unit for $10.00 from a friend. I have no idea where to source or how to fix a broken truck. The athearn is a super detailed model that I built that runs terribly. Was hoping a new motor would help. Athearn motor just terrible. I also found a metal cary body on ebay I just bought. Going to build another switcher from various parts I have.
I would spend the $45 for the PPW repowering and buy a new truck from Kato for the NW2. The NW2 is a fine running loco, they do have issues with the bronze PU and are a bear to decoder (milling frame). This way even if the Kato motor/ flywheels will fit, you still are looking at driveshaft adapting from Kato to the Athearn.
Proto Power West even has a powered chassis that you just need to put your sideframes on.
If you check around, you can even do a little better than $45.
I have an Athearn SW1500 repowered with a Cary body and it run EXCELLENT. Outstanding low speed, smooth as can be. Well worth the money for the PPW motor and flywheels.
It’s a easy conversion. I just mounted the motor with silicone.
So true, I too use silicone (RTV) to mount the can motors. Many times I find that some sort of craddle is needed for proper motor position. I found that the gray elecrical PVC couplings cut down for the craddle seem to work great.
The PPW flywheels (PN 20021) fit the Kato motor shafts and have couplers that will mate with the Athearn drive shafts.
But I agree it would probably be better to fix the NW2. The trucks are only $10 on the Kato site.
Jim
What about using a Helix Humper motor?: http://www.alliancelink.com/alp/photos.htm
The #130 kit reuses the Athearn flywheels and the #140 comes flywheel equipped.
Have you tried writing to Kato to see if you can get a spare truck? The part numbers for the HO trucks are 959031, 959032 and 959033 in black, gray and silver respectively. MSRP is $9.98. For about $40 you get get both locos back up to snuff.
Look under parts. Only the silver 959033 is pictured.
Andre
If you decide to go with a Helix Humper, it’s an easy swap. The only surgery is to cut away a small area of the frame so that the motor will fit. The motor is held in place with the athearn motor mounts. I have repowered 4 blue box locos with Helix Humpers and they run great. One caveat on romotoring an older athearn is that the universals tend to be loose and can cause a little bit of binding on curves.
Mike