Old Eheim Trolley Bus question. What voltage?

[rcvoltar]

Hi.  I just picked up an old  Eheim Trolley Bus. I want to test it but do not know what voltage I should use.  I do not want to damage it.  Can anybody help? Thank you in advance.   Jim

[Christian]

Welcome, Jim. I don't know much about electrics but this controller may provide a hint: www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-eheim-model-railway-160903434
Also, there is a German language forum with an entire sub-section about these buses: alte-modellbahnen.xobor.de/f49-Trolley-Busse-Strassenbahnen-alles-ueber-die-Eheim-Brawa-Trolleybusse-und-Strassenbahnen.html I am pretty sure they speak some English.

[christoffischer]

hi

The Buses Work with 12 V AC or DC

Christof

[swampdaddy]

Eheim trolleybuses use 12 volts as do the Brawa units (Brawa bought Eheim out and redesigned some components). These buses are molded in cellulose acetate and can melt or distort if run too long (continuously) at one time. If you seriously get into these units replace the headlight bulbs with LEDs, replace the interior bulbs and tail-light bulbs with LEDs too. This will cut way down on internal heat and prolong the life of your units. On the Brawa units if you reverse the DC the bus stops but the lights remain on. Eheim units use field wound motors and go forward no mater which direction the DC is. The field would motor also runs on AC. The Brawa units have a diode and will fun forward only on AC (not recommended for them). And, at 12 volts they do about 80 mph; and, they don't run smoothly at much lower voltage.

The Brawa overhead, in my opinion, is much better looking than the toy-like Eheim (quite bulky) overhead. Both are oversized; but, reliable in operation. At one time I experimented with using "slot car track" for guidance and putting the poles in the proper position on the bus. This worked well; but, the restrictions of using slot track were as unrealistic looking as having the poles up front to steer so I discontinued this experiment.

Obviously, today, one could use the Faller Car System (FCS) which uses a magnet on a lever up front to steer the buses for guidance; and, overhead wire pickup would solve the battery recharging problem of the FCS system. This way the poles could be more properly placed to the rear of the vehicle. I intend to try and power my non-operating Wilkinson trolleybuses with the FCS steering and poles to pickup unlimited current from overhead wires.

have fun, Swamp Daddy