Troubleshooting whistling tenders

[stax57]

I am sure this subject has been covered myriad times.  My whistling tender makes a growling sound that is louder than the whistle itself.  What should I look at to get to the bottom of the problem?

[dougdagrump]

Have you pulled the tender shell to check/clean the unit and sparingly oil the bearing/bushing of the motor that turns the impellar ?

[servoguy]

There are 2 bearings to oil. One you can easily see as it is in the center of the brush plate. The other is under or behind the armature and you can't see it very well. This is usually the bearing that has never been oiled because the average guy doesn't know it is there. If it is dry, it will make a good amount of noise. Bruce Baker

[TRAINCAT]

Electrical connections and bad wiring can also contribute to the noise factor. Make sure your wires are not rotted and both are connected to rollers. The armature and brushes need to be clean as well. Spray electric contact cleaner on the rollers.

Roger

[Hudson#685]

A little oil works wonders. I purchased a used tender that growled more than it whistled. A little oil (servo guy I used 3in1 oil that time) and it is now a great whistler.

   John

[[e-mail]]

I notice that not one has mentioned what trainrat called bad wiring causing the noisy tender. Stands to reason, the noise is caused by dry, dirty or worn bearings and even if you change all the wiring it won't make a db differnce in the noise quotient. Singer Sewing Machine Oil works great for this application. O

[edited by selector]

[[e-mail]]

Opps!! Almost forgot. Do not spray contact cleaner on your rollers unless the manufacturer specifically states to do it. In most roller assemblies and rollers in particular today they are impregnated with a lifetime lubrication and when you spray this solvent onto, into them they leach this lubrication out and eventually will start running dry and causing, amongst other things an overheated eunit. Some manufacturers recomment oiling the rollers some do not. Be sure before you spray anything on your rollers. It's common sense, right?