2 position E unit

[ibrokeit]

It works freely when using my finger to press upward, however it hangs when using elect. power. tried wiping it. What gives?

[Steve W.]

Is this a Lionel locomotive? If so new ones are available, also if you know wich part is  fouling up ,the indivedual parts are also available How old is the locomotive?    Steve.

[ibrokeit]

Yes, #8310

[bfskinner]

It might help if you were to  post more information.

Manufacturer; steam - electric or diesel; approximate vintage; three rail or 2; cab and product number; wheel arrangement railroad name, photo, etc, etc. I haven't been able to find anything useful with just that 8310 number.

Your description of the e-unit sounds to me more like a three-position type. Very confusing. There is much to be found on this subject in the "advanced search" tab on this forum, but it would probably still require more info.

 

 

[ibrokeit]

lionel, steam, 1974, 3 rail, Cab #8310..  boy, I appreciate your searching...

[rtraincollector]

This engine is a 2-4-0 from 1974-75 road name nickle plate, santa fe, or jersey central.

here is a diagram and parts list from lionel

http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/18310Complete.pdf

[rtraincollector]

if you need one send a email to [e-mail] (jeff kane train tender ( train parts) or call him at 585-229-2050

[lionelsoni]

That looks like a 3-position e-unit to me.  Check the teeth on the drum.  The pawl can wear notches between the teeth which catch the pawl and prevent it from falling back down.  You can replace the drum; but I find it easier to shave the teeth smooth with a small wood chisel.  If you're careful, you can do this without disassembling the e-unit.

Another possible cause is the small tang on the back of the pawl that butts against a horizontal metal surface in the "up" position.  If this area gets roughened up, it seems to cause the pawl to lock.  I have had luck with smoothing it out.

A common explanation for the problem is that the e-unit has become magnetized.  This is implausible, since a gradually reduced alternating magnetic field is the standard de-magnetizing method.  So just running the train repeatedly demagnetizes the e-unit.

[butleryard]

 The blown up parts diagram shows a 3 position e-unit for that engine. But the parts list states a 2 position e-unit. The 101 series e-units were 2 position e units.

So if you have a 3 postion e unit, you can replace parts and rebuild them.

If it is a 2 position e unit, I would just replace it.

 

[ADCX Rob]

When you say "it hangs", does it not drop down after engaging?   Or does it not come up fully to engage the other direction?

Either way, try some tuner cleaner or QD aerosol to spray the solenoid core(the round barrel/rod that slides up & down.  It may have been gunked up.  If you get some on the switch pivot & contacts, that might help too.

These are much simpler than a 3 position reverse unit.  I've never seen one fail.  The one I got new in 1963 is still working perfectly.

Rob

 

[bfskinner]

Thousand words department:

General appearance of Lionel two-position e-units:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/b123/001309.pdf

General appaearance of Lionel three-position e-units:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/b123/001307.pdf

Useful article on Lionel e-units generally:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=1070

Note: Olsen's is a little tricky for these items. Postwar e-units are listed as a sub-section of prewar e-units.

Two-position e-units are ordinarily as reliable as sunrise, but they are also a pain you know what, in my humble opinion. They virtually force you to avoid using the direction button,  and only change direction via the throttle handle. Hitting the direction button at speed is very stressful on the gearing and linkage, not to mention rubber traction tires, because there is no neutral power-on position to coast to a stop. (Some locos won't coast anyway, but that's another story.) Also,  you can't sit still at a station or on a section of operating (unloading) track with track power on.

If it's possible to change out the e-unit in your locomotive for a three position one (either a traditional electro-mechanical or a modern electronic type) I'd do so, unless I required a complete restoration rather than a repair or upgrade. 

[crane iron]

I just don't like them, compared to my 3 position.The one I have it is unreliable, runs one way but not the other.I also like the fact that I can stop the train with out turning off the track power with a 3 position at least the option is there.