Rotary Beacon

[Anonymous]

I have a K-Line rotisserie beacon light (ok, beacon light) that just doesn't want to rotate like it's supposed to. I use an 18 volt bulb with the indent for the beacon and it doesn't help. I've bent the blades some on the beacon itself and still no go. Does this thing(Lionel, also) ever work? It's a nice effect it works. Any ideas or methods? Does yours work? Thanks

[Anonymous]

They usually all don't work, unless there is some kind of airflow in the room... I have an old marx that never turns, but it still looks good on the layout..

[cnw1995]

qqq, I have the same type of beacon. Mine needs to warm up, then the beacon starts to turn. And it has to be pretty exactly level.

[Anonymous]

Try putting a shim under one of the legs so the beacon rocks slightly and run your trains. The vibration from the train usually get it rotating for me.

[cnw1995]

I love how our advice contradicts one another. [;)] In my example, the beacon bulb usually heats up enough to start the rotor spinning if it is level...

[Sturgeon-Phish]

My beacon did not rotate very well until I broke it! I was fiddling with the pivot pin to make it straight down and it broke off. I could not replace it from the inside so I super glued the pin and bushing from the top, effectivly decreasing the distance from the bulb and the fins. It rotates better now than it ever has. Or I may of just gotten lucky with the fin pitch.[:D]