Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

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Rhys
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Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Rhys »

Hi all, was looking for some advice on this. I want to change the motors on Cosmos from 30:1 to 50:1, but its a bit of hassle to change the motors over. Can I just swap the gearboxes over? Has anyone tried this before? The gear on the shaft of the motor looks the same, but I'm not 100% sure. I don't want to go stripping gears right before the AWS.

Cheers.
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razerdave
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by razerdave »

I've tried swapping gearboxes before and the pinion gear on the motor itself has been too small/too large, depending on what box I was fitting even though the gearboxes looked to be the same ratio, so I wouldn't recommend swapping them around.
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Rhys
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Rhys »

Ah well, guess its time to break out the knife, pliers and soldering iron to get the old motor out. Cheers Dave.
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Rhys
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Rhys »

Ah well, guess its time to break out the knife, pliers and soldering iron to get the old motor out. Cheers Dave.
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Remote-Controlled Dave
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

Does this mean no more James Bond style arena exits?
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Rhys
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Rhys »

Well that's the plan, but knowing my driving skills I wouldn't rule anything out.
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Rhys
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Rhys »

A quick update on this... Due to a lack of time, money and 30:1HP motors before the next AWS, I've tried 50:1 motors with 30:1 gearboxes, and they seem ok so far. As Dave says, the pinions gears are different sizes, but the difference seems negligible. I think it's only an extra tooth, and the diameter is only an extra 0.1mm.
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Remote-Controlled Dave
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

It'll be interesting to see how the modifyed motors stand up in combat then. Hope it all goes ok.
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razerdave
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Re: Are Pololu motors and gearboxes interchangeable?

Post by razerdave »

As it happens, I have a working motor but a knackered gearbox, does anyone have a spare? I have 2 other gearboxes but one has the same issue (bearing hole been enlarged by frequent use) and one has a stripped gear (bearing hole is fine). Trying to put a good gear into that box has proved difficult :p.
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