Lionel Post War 2020W Tender Needs repair

[wpetrag]

Hello,

Hi! I recently purchased a 2020W Tender for my 2020 Steam Engine. Unfortunately, I can't get the whistle to "Sound Off" and the relay armature sticks as well. The only way that I can get the motor to turn is if I hold the relay armature when I supply power, but the whistle will not sound off. Does anyone have any suggestions for rectifying these problems so I can get the whistle to "Blow" as designed? Do I need to replace the relay and/or relay armature; brushes; pickup rollers, etc.? Any and all advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Bill

TCA#: 03-56667 

  

 

[Jumijo]

Try removing the brush plate and cleaning the brushes and armature. I had a post war whistle tender that did the same thing. The brushes were stuck to the armature with gunk. A good cleaning solved the problem. Also, check for any loose or broken wires.

Also check to see if the impeller on the end of the armature shaft is spinning. It may have come loose. The impeller is what makes the whistle noise.

Jim 

[Anonymous]

If it is a die-cast chamber, the gasket may be leaking.  This could result in no sound.  You can replace the gasket, or you can seal the seam between the chamber and the cover.  I used Elmers Glue All on my 2466WX.  Clean the motor as jaabat suggests, the commutator slots on mine were clogged with carbon and old grease.

[lionel2]

What kinda transformer you using??..i had the same problem...i used a small 1032 transformer and it made my tender just hummm...then i put the bad boy on...the kw and the tender whistled like no other....might just need more power....clean brushes and armature top and check for leaking as said...when you have the whistle control to on...try pushing up on the tab below the relay so it makes contact to make sure the motor actually works and does make a sound...then if it does might have to adjust the contacts.....i usalluy bend them close together...if you dont want to bend them then you can use some black take and put it under that tab to make it higher thus closer to the contact to reach.....its hard to desribe..hope you understand...thanks

[wpetrag]

Hello,

Thank you all for your suggestions! The impeller does spin; just can't get the whistle to blow. Maybe there is a leak as suggested - will investigate. How can I get to the gasket if the cover is riveted to the chamber? I'll clean the brushes or better yet, maybe I'll replace them. Any suggestions on suppliers of good post war parts? The transformer that I'm using is a KW - maybe I have the wrong posts connected to the track contactor - could that be possible (i.e. wrong voltage)? Feedback?

Thanks,

Bill

TCA#: 03-56667 

 

 

[Jumijo]

Silicone or even latex caulk works great for sealing the whistle chambers.

Jim 

[Anonymous]

Bill,

       Those are pins that hold the cover to the chamber.  To remove them, use a dull pair of diagonal cutters.  The edge on the cutters should be able to get under the head of the pin and when you squeeze the handles, the pin wil start out.  Be gentle,  the last thing you want to do is cut the head off, you'd then have a very big problem.  After that, you may have to use the cutters to lever the pin the rest of the way.  Be sure to remember what hole each pin came from what hole.  The pins can be tapped back into place.