postwar whistle tender issues. whistle works, relay wont...

[Anonymous]

so if you have a postwar that whistle runs really well BUT... the relay is trying to fire but wont quite close the gap... whaddya do?

i have rebuilt a few whistle tenders and 3 of 4 wont fire the relay to blow the whistle, the whistle(s) runs great when i close the relay manually and the relay hums/buzzes and tries to close when i pop the transformer button/handle over. i tested the transformers and they are doing the right thing... what do you try/do next?

does anyone know any postwar relay/electro magnet fixer-upper tricks?
are there any reasonable or inexpensive after market solutions?
does somebody make a inexpensive solution or know a part number/manufacturer of a relay to do this job?

thanks...

[lionelsoni]

Wow! I thought I would never see another actual train question on the forum!

Check out http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd3.htm?itm=708 . It does seem like the problem might be with the transformer, if 3 out of 4 relays fail to close. As the manual suggests, you can test the relays with 1.1 volts of DC to be sure that they are the problem and not the transformer. If so, the fix might be bending down the tang that connects the spring to the relay armature until the coil can pull it in.

[Anonymous]

the transformers are working properly. one is an old 1033 but the other is a new lionel 40watt brick.
when i pu***he whistle buttons they both read a pulse of over 5 volts then a quick sec. later they hold at 1.5 and 1.4 volts each.
i'll try the battery test.
thanks

[Anonymous]

Did you thoroughly clean the relay? Sometimes even a bit of lint
or dust will prevent the relay arm from properly closing mechanically.
Also try cleaning/burnishing the contact faces (points) with a piece
of VERY FINE crocus cloth/paper. You might be suffering from a
relay that is working mechanically but oxidation is failing to pass
and electrical current between the relay contacts. A good mineral-
spirit cleaner will also help clean things up overall.

Hope this helps.

PS...As a LAST resort try readjusting/bending the relay contact arm
for better contact.