12834 magnetic crane

Greg BiggOGR Forum Member

Hi everyone, I just picked up a 12834 magnetic crane and the magnet appears to be energized all the time, when I move the lever to off the item is still stuck on magnet---any ideas to why? Greg

6/13/235:29 PM

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dkdkrdOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Residual magnetism. Akin to that nuisance problem of having your ferritic tweezers come in contact with a permanent magnet...and forever after never letting go of those tiny steel screws, washers, springs...whatever...until (second nuisance!) you find your de-mag gizmo and try exorcising the tweezers of the evil spirits therein.

I had (still have?...read on) the same issue with my gantry. It was a few years ago, I believe, that it was discussed on the forum. (Try the search function...maybe it's still there.)

Best analysis is that...

1) Both the magnet core piece and certain items of 'scrap' metal for the load can retain enough residual magnetism after the coil power is turned off to remain attractive.

2) If the 'scrap' metal is too light in weight, the residual magnetism of magnet core and the scrap metal can be sufficient to continue to hang on after the coil power is turned off.

I believe Lionel provided several pieces of scrap metal with their early editions of the magnetic gantry crane. And, as I recall reading...somewhere...they were not at all 'wimpy' in weight. Ergo, they yielded to gravity just fine without a powered magnet coil. I, OTOH, thought I'd try a variety of some ferritic bits and pieces...something more scale and 'scrappy' looking, shall we say. shake

So, the sort-by-weight began for the most reliable...(?)...scrap. Or, shall we say, the least embarrassing at demo time! blush

As with so much in this animation-rich hobby, it is what it is...including the compromises!

Now then, the adjacent gantry featuring the clam-shell bucket is usually the most fun of the two, anyway. In fact, ALL of the coal-grabbing, -lifting, -vibrating, -slinging, -dumping, -etc. accessories are a hoot...IMHO. Right up there with Samson, the over-caffeinated milk can flinging guy in the dairy cars! (BTW, Lionel, forget the Bosco, Hot Chocolate, Hood's animated cars. Issue a RED BULL™ car with cans decorated thereof, and the frenetic action will be spot on!!!)