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Lionel whistle tender...more noise than whistle!

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  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 17 posts
Posted by trains4fun on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 7:12 PM
The electrical and oiling have been covered, cleaning out the whistle chambers is covered. I have checked these on all my whistles. What do you do when one of the 2 whistles in the whistle box don't work. I have been checking and I find all my tenders work on the high note, the top on a vertical mount, but some do not work at all on the low note. Anyone know how to get the low note tuned in so it works? The low note gap is slightly longer it seems. Thanks
  • Member since
    February 2016
  • 12 posts
Posted by LionelPortland on Saturday, July 18, 2020 10:44 PM

Could you please repost the oiling instructions again? I have a 2426w and even after cleaning it out it only makes a grinding sort of noise, no whistle at all... Not exactly sure where to oil it.

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 969 posts
Posted by TrainLarry on Sunday, July 19, 2020 11:49 PM

ADCX Rob

 

 
Lionel1948
... is there a specific parts breakdown document available so I know exactly WHERE to oil...

 

Here is a diagram of the motor with the armature removed. Oil both ends of the armature where circled in red. The lower one will require a needle oiler down between two of the three poles of the armature.

 

  • Member since
    February 2016
  • 12 posts
Posted by LionelPortland on Monday, July 20, 2020 12:30 PM

Thanks, the upper is simple enough, but I'm confused about the lower-- it appears that the shaft of the armature connects to the impeller first, so I can't get at the bearing without removing it somehow (wouldn't that stop the oil?). I think that oilite bearing is my problem, because it's obvious when turning it by hand that it isn't lubricated at all. My tender runs but doesn't actually produce a whistle, apparently because it isn't getting up to speed. 

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 969 posts
Posted by TrainLarry on Monday, July 20, 2020 4:26 PM

If your whistle looks like this (see rear view), then the bearing is pressed into the cover and is accessible to oil from the outside.

 

Larry

  • Member since
    February 2016
  • 12 posts
Posted by LionelPortland on Monday, July 20, 2020 6:01 PM

Yes, that's close. You're right-- there is an oil hole there. I thought the bearing was solid on the outside, but it had a bunch of carbon plugging up the hole. It's spinning fast now, but still no whistle- only the noise from the motor! I'm starting to think that there must be some defect in the actual whistle mechanism, even though I don't see any evidence of metal fatigue, etc. Perhaps I'll have to just switch it out with another whistle...

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 969 posts
Posted by TrainLarry on Monday, July 20, 2020 6:31 PM

The whistle chamber may be plugged. Take off the motor and check for anything obstructing the air holes. Blow into the chamber and it should produce the proper tone.

The other more likely reason for no sound is that the motor is wired incorrectly and is turning backwards. Make sure the motor is turning in the proper direction, or no sound will be heard.

 

Larry

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