barrel loader help

[Anonymous]

I hope this is the right place to post this question. Could use some help with a modern version of Lionel #362 barrel loader item # 32996. My problem is the barrels will not go up the ramp. After dumping from the barrel car, the barrels vibrate over to the ramp but will not go up. Turning voltage up makes everything vibrate harder and the barrels vibrate over the side. When placing a couple of barrels on the middle of the ramp, they actually seem to want to go down not up. I picked this item up at an auction, and it had never been opened or used. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.
Bob

[mpzpw3]

If the new barrel loader works anything like the original, here are a few tips. Run the barrel loader at the recommended voltage, and try applying pressure to various parts of the loader with your fingers. Try pressing on the end that the barrels exit the platform, it may just be a case of levelness. I have mine screwed to the table, which by tightening or loosening the screws, changes the way the loader performs. Try hooking it up to a variable voltage transformer, and changing the voltage at the same time you are applying pressure or loosening/tightening screws. I found that on mine, about 9 volts is all I need, any more and the barrels just jump around. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

If securing the base and varying the voltage doesn't help, the problem is likely the rectifier. The new model might be using a diode, but the result is the same. The AC is rectified, I believe to 1/2 wave DC. This gives less vibrations, but only in one direction. In old models, the rectifier can be replaced with a diode.

[brianel027]

I'm surprised that the instructions included don't mention this. But there should be a screw holding a bracket off the vibrator coil to the base of the ramp. An adjustment of this screw is sometimes necessary for optimum performance.

I have the barrel ramp car, and found I had to make a slight adjustment in placement of the coil in relation to the ramp for best performance.

Consult the Greenberg Repair Manual, or write to Lionel requesting specific illustations on the barrel loader, with the problem you are having.

The repair manual doesn't recommend screwing down the accessory to the table. But as mpzpw3 noted, it can be done, but you need to watch the tightness to which you screw it down, since the accessory works by vibration of the metal ramp.

[mpzpw3]

That is very odd BrianO27. My repair manual just notes that it can be screwed down and "adjusted". It says says the same about the operating freight station as well. I wonder if we have different versions of the manual? Mine is also Greenberg's. Hmmm?
Anyway, I decided not to mention "deeper repair methods". Being a mechanic, I feel start with the easy things first, before fiddling with things such as "air gap", rectifiers, etc. I have an operating newstand that I wished I had never messed with the air gap. Just start simple and keep asking questions on this forum until the problem is solved, you give up, or send it to the repair station.

[iguanaman3]

Are the barrels for the new loader varnished and shiny? If so they may be too slippery to climb up the ramp. You can also try shimming one end of the loader to make the ramp less steep.

[brianel027]

Mpzpw3, I went back to my Greenberg book and what is says is: performance may vary considerably depending on whether the accessory is simply held to the track by means of the track clips provided, or is screwed down to the train board or platform. Rigid mounting of the Barrel Loader to the platform should be avoided.

So I guess I overstated the issue. It's not being mounted to the train board, but how tightly screwed down the platform is.

I agree with your thought on starting simple. Sometimes I see a question post, but the repair answer is an involved one. And there's always the risk of an inexperienced person making the problem worse.

Heck, that can happen to us experienced guys.... usually with a couple of naughty words unintentionally tossed into the mix. Better to do that when the kids aren't around.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. The barrel loader is not yet screwed down or attached to the table top - still in wiring phase and trying to make sure it works. There was an air gap of almost 1/8 inch between motor and frame. After adjusting to about 1/16, and using about 10 volts, the barrels go about half way up ramp. More voltage just makes them bounce more and over the side. I did try shimming the bottom end of the ramp and have to raise almost 3/8 inch to get barrels to continue up ramp. At this height, it creates a new problem. It is too high for the barrel car to unload. Another reply mentioned the newness of the barrels. I didn't even think about this. The barrels are brand new and varnished. Will try roughing up one of the barrels and see if this makes a difference. Again, thanks for the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

It's working!! Making the air gap smaller allowed the ramp to vibrate quite well at 10 volts. Took some sandpaper and roughed up the rings around two of the barrels and they now move all the way up the ramp - even without shimming the bottom of the ramp. Guess the barrels were just too well varnished. Thanks again for all the replies.

[jwally]

I have had the same problem. I set it up a Christmas and each year it the barrels go up the ramp fewer and fewer times. This year if I pushed them half way they would then go the rest of the way. That diode fix sounds intriguing. I have a PW model. What type of diode would I need and where would I attach it to the motor? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I roughed up the barrels, held down the different corners, screwed to platform and unsrewed. I adjusted the air gap and made it worse and tried to set it back to original position. I am ready to try something else.

[Anonymous]

I have the PW loader purchased on ebay with a broken base and fence. As the photo shows, I screwed it tightly to two blocks. It vibrates so much that the barrels will jump off the ramp if I don't lower the voltage with the throttle. They do slide nicely up the ramp. It's one my favorite accessaries. With TMCC, the gondola can be slowly moved as the barrels load.

The rectifier disc can be seen under the gray channel to the left of the brown fence.
I would use a Radio Shack diode of 1 amp or more. Disconnect the two wires to the rectifier and connect them to the diode. If the barrels move in the wrong direction, reverse the diode connections.

If this solves the problem, please post here.

[jwally]

Roger thanks for the info I will give it a try and post the results.
Thanks,