Hi Dave,I have a 394 with the "thermally" powered beacon lens too! I have found that 45 degree angle on the fins works pretty good sometimes less. Bend them carefully with your thumbnail, you're right the assembly is very fragile. Next makes sure the pivot point is good and sharp, if not and you're unable to grind a new sharp point on it, then buy a new one. They're relatively cheap and available from Olsen's http://pictures.olsenstoy.com//proddetail.htm?sku=394-37 for $10 on ebay perhaps cheaper if you buy a couple. Also, align the pivot point properly so that when balanced the cowling of the lens does not rub anywhere on the bulb socket as it turns...and make sure the beacon is plumb/level. Sometimes I gently blow on mine to get it wiggling to break any "Sticktion" in the pivot/bulb dimple contact. Also I find I need to run my beacon right around 18 volts to get it going good. Hope this helps, I love the red and green lights flashing around my dimly lit living room at Christmas time...
Roland
Just received a prewar Lionel 394 Rotating Beacon which doesn't rotate. A couple of questons: 1) From reading past posts, I understand that one fix would be to open the vents to approximately 45 degrees. Should pliers, flat screwdriver or just fingers be used to do this? With the beacon looking fragile, I don't want to break it. 2) My plans are to create a train layout with an aviation theme. Airport beacons are green and white. Anyway to replace the red lens with a white one?
I'm new to this hobby and this is my first post. Thanks for all your input
Dave
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