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Post-war Whistle Tender Motor Whine

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
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Post-war Whistle Tender Motor Whine
Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 3:24 PM

Try saying THAT three times fast!

Seriously, I've some post-war whistle tenders that have a pronounced motor "whine," for lack of a better term, when they're engaged.  The whistle sound works fine.

I've cleaned and lubricated the units, cleaned the brush plates, made sure the fans and armatures have good unimpeded rotation.  I haven't replaced the brushes yet, that'll happen after I visit a train show with some parts dealers.

Does anyone have any suggestions for reducing the whine, or is this typical for these tenders?

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Posted by rrlineman on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 5:25 PM

check for air leaks in the body. if none then i would look at the bearings, especialey the fan side bearing. hope this helps.

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Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 5:48 PM

Thanks, I'll do that!

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 7:22 PM

If it sounds like the motor is winding up disproportionately to the whistle sound, it's usually due to an air leak, obstructed whistle chambers, or a fouled impeller.

You may need to use compressed air to clear the chambers and impeller of cobwebs, 1950s pine needle fragments, pet fur/hair from long-gone family pets, and errant tinsel or other debris.

I have seen hair strands wrapped very tightly around the impeller vanes that required mechanical means - scissors & needlenose pliers - to remove.

Rob

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Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check those things you mentioned as well.

To be a bit more precise, the "whine" is really more like a "screetch," or a "buzzy-screetch" if that makes sense. Like plastic rubbing on plastic or a dry bearing.  As I said, everything turns as it should and lubrication has been applied, but I certainly appreciate the input.

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 11:44 PM

That screech is usually the lower bearing between the impeller & the armature windings. Use a synthetic motor oil and a needle oiler to reach down between 2 poles on the armature and cover the bushing completely, work it in well, operate the motor, and repeat, to get the oilite soaked well with oil.

Rob

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Posted by cwburfle on Thursday, February 25, 2016 8:22 AM

 Like plastic rubbing on plastic or a dry bearing.

Screeching is usually dry bearings. But on rare occasion, the impeller (fan) will rub against the whistle chamber and need adjusting.

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Posted by Firelock76 on Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:49 AM

Thanks all!

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Posted by irontooth on Thursday, February 25, 2016 9:37 PM

This has been interesting reading. I am working on a Lionel whistle 6026w. I can not find an exploded view so  can not tell if this one has a bearing in the brush plate or not ? I know it has a bearing between the armature and impeller

How do you clean out the whistle body, it is glued together, if blowing with compressed air does not work?

Thanks

Irontooth

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  • From: Hopewell, NY
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Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:42 PM

Rob

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Posted by irontooth on Friday, February 26, 2016 8:16 AM

Thanks

 

Irontooth

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  • From: Henrico, VA
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Posted by Firelock76 on Friday, February 26, 2016 3:42 PM

Tried the suggestions and things are much better now, thanks all!

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