So tell me...
I hate to admit this, but I don't even own a magnet car. Not one, from any generation. Is someone, or a few of you, willing to step up and help HO World by submitting some tuning articles, and perhaps give away some of your secrets?
Magnet cars were not slighted on purpose, we just got turned down by the magnet guys we asked, or they forgot that they said they would submit. Perhaps this is the push they need. Let me know. Send emai.
Re: So tell me...
Spike, I need articles. Tell me what you do with stuff, and include pictures. Show off your techniques, anything. Someone at all levels will benefit.
Magnet Cars is a big term
Does a Magnatraction count as a "magnet-car", since it uses the motor magnets to attract the rail (however weakly)? If, as I think it does, earn the "magnet car badge", then the term covers a lot of cars, from essentially vintage racers to the state of the art Patriot, G2, and Panther cars. The ends of the spectrum have very little in common.
There are several places on the web with articles on modern magnet cars, and FastPhil's tips pages are outstanding resources.
There isn't much out there on the old magnet cars, though. Does anybody race Aurora G+ cars anymore? Have tips for those? How about SuperMagnatraction?
As soon as I get back from Asia I will begin to look at putting together the gear lapping article I mentioned. I will need to work it in around SYSO activities as I get ready for the first series.
Re: Magnet Cars is a big term
Those "fluxing" magnets!
Don't mind this topic at all and can hardly wait until something gets posted.
As a matter of fact, may I be permitted to post this?
Why, thankyou!
Q: Is it better to run your 2 strongest motor-magnets or, your highest matched motor-magnets?
A: There will always be more than one answer.
Nothing but the very best of wishes for Bob and BB.
Regards.
Re: matching
Hello John.
May I just quickly say what "high regard" you are held in "over here".
And I agree that matched is more desirable. It would seem to defeat the purpose if you were to fit a balanced arm between unbalanced mags, for eg.
But can you subscribe to there being any potential for specifically "off-setting" mags for specific arms for say, drag or oval racing as opposed to road-course?
This is NOT a trick question!
I am just seeking an informed opinion with a view to exchange said same.
Regards.
Having been in a similar discussion before I want to toss something out for consideration. Many years ago Ed Bianchi wrote an article about adding a second magnet to the front of a T'jet chassis. This improved motor performance greatly. Now I assume that this resulted in mismatched magnets for that car, what with two in front and one in back.
That result leads me to believe that there is a point where increased strength overcomes the disadvantage of being mismatched with respect to the magnets. BTW, this is something that could be readily confirmed using T'jet chassis and the wide range of magnets available that fit them.
The question then becomes not whether matched is always better, but at what point does strength outweigh balance. Any opinions?
Re: re: matching
Wow, I have one of those experimental chassis. It was in a box of odd parts that came from Tom O'Riley (TOP HO Racing Shells). He subscribed to many of the early slot car magazines (I've managed to photocopy about 300 pages). The same box of parts has a Bowman AFX/craft magnet clone that Tom O. made by looking at the old magazines. I guess I better put the T-Jet together and see how it runs. I'll try to do that in the next couple of weeks.
Not So Matching.
Mark,
A single magnet has lines of flux eminating from it; North seeking South, forming closed loops with the magnets relative strength dependant upon its material composition.
When 2 magnets are positioned in close proximity, lines of magnetic flux which are parallel and of the same direction will repel one another. (LifeLike motor magnets)
When 2 magnets are positioned in close proximity, lines of magnetic flux which are parallel and of a different direction will attract one another. (T-Jet motor magnets etc)
In either case and specifically, every HO cars motor magnets positioning has an order of symmetry which inturn, dictates that within the air-gar, (less armature for the minute), that the lines of flux should have an order of uniformity.
All things being equal, the magnetic neutral axis will be found in the centre of the 2 magnets.
And now for the answer?
By "adding" or positioning another magnet in close proximity to an existing magnet;
A: usually smaller than the parent magnet.
B: positioned centrally along the spine of the parent magnet. (in this case)
C: being of a similar or greater strength of the parent magnet.
D: being an attracting magnet in relation to the parent magnet. (in this case)
then the original uniformity of the magnetic flux field is altered to become "compressed" on the one side, (added magnet), and "stretched" on the other side.
The magnetic neutral axis; having now been shifted "off centre", allows for the armature to be "drawn" into and "pushed out of "compressed" field and to more freely traverse the "stretched" field, as relative to the Electro Magnetic Field generated by the armature conductor(s) as it revolves.
NB: This scenario can be best complimented when the armature is balanced kenetically.
This was as short and as simple an answer as I could offer and as a concluding note, this same said scenario has existed in a similar form whenever and since the introduction of traction magnets as standard.
Hope this has been of help!?!
Regards.
Thanks for the explanation. It does reveal that flux density is not evenly distributed within a magnetic field. Even with matched magnets the density, and thus attraction, varies by location within the field.
The practical question is still to be answered. How much difference in strength is needed between two magnets to make the mis-matched magnets superior to matched magnets of the lesser strength? To benefit the general slot racer I would like to know the answer in percent difference.
For example, say I have a pair of magnets of strength 10. I also have single magnets of strengths 11 and 12. Would I be better off running 10 & 10, 10 & 11 or 10 & 12? Is 20% a sufficient difference to improve overall performance?
Related questions also occur to me. Would all aspects of performance improve? Can I manipulate the top speed versus torque trade off differently than with matched magnets?
Asymmetrical Magnetic Field Cars
Rev, how did that TJet with the asymmetrical field run? Was it basically a tjet with a neo-dot stuck on the back of the front magnet?
Re: Asymmetrical Magnetic Field Cars
No it is a T-Jet with the front of the chassis hogged out for two blue motor magnets. I haven't tried it yet. I've been too busy with other projects. Sorry. I did look at it yesterday
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