3 position E Unit for 260E

The 260E-72 was specified,  you could also use a 773-100 without lockout lever and use a small concealed slide switch to act as the lockout lever.

A lever-down 2333-80, 622-90 or similar with lever in back should all fit the form factor.

Thanks and who’s a good supplier

@Michael Roth posted:

Thanks and who’s a good supplier

Google works to find your parts guy, or www.ttender.com is always a good start, these will run $35-45 in good serviceable condition. An email to jeff@ttender.com with your application will help him narrow down which one he has that will fit your need.

New question:I performed  a little plenary re-wiring of a 260e and I am not sure of the following connection terminals on the pendulum e unit and what they are fore

@Michael Roth posted:

the pendulum e unit and what they are fore...

Thanks and terminal to the left of the field coils terminal is the pickup terminal correct

thanks

Ok so now I have the full picture

the contact at the top of the e unit breaks the ground when power is active and stops the p coil from staying engaged

I’m going to do a full cad drawing of the locomotive with full one line power diagram. Would anyone like to do a peer review of my work.
it drives me crazy that after 100 years we’re still working off napkin sketches.

In later circa 1934 Lionel started using the newer drum design e-units in 260E's. The notable difference I've found on the boiler is the use of black letters on the 260 tag. The red letter cab tags came with pendulum units. The e-units have all been the same in that there is no lever. They are controlled by the lever in the cab which also controls the chugger (if loco has one). I have no reason to suspect the four I've worked on have been modified.

Paper napkin drawings work but if you want to go full blown techno go for it. Keep in mind that approximately 90% of old tinplate has been worked on at least once and your drawing may or not apply in every instance.

@John H. Shetler posted:

In later circa 1934 Lionel started using the newer drum design e-units in 260E's. The notable difference I've found on the boiler is the use of black letters on the 260 tag. The red letter cab tags came with pendulum units. The e-units have all been the same in that there is no lever. They are controlled by the lever in the cab which also controls the chugger (if loco has one). I have no reason to suspect the four I've worked on have been modified.

Paper napkin drawings work but if you want to go full blown techno go for it. Keep in mind that approximately 90% of old tinplate has been worked on at least once and your drawing may or not apply in every instance.

Hey John.... So the 1934 (as well as 1935)  260E with the drum unit did have red letter plates on it And I have seen a few later units with them too, so, as usual there are exception to any rules!  From my understanding the 255s in 1935 had the eunit slot on the top and were the transition point for the eunit itself to have the handles... carried forward by the 263Es

What about installing an electronic e unit ? What would be a good unit to use ?

There are lots of options for that also.

I just completed the cleaning of my pendulum e unit it runs good just a little noisy and some times it won’t engage if I do a quick stop and start. However it does work.

Installed a Dallee 400 reverse unit into a motor of a Lionel prewar 261e. The unit works and switches between nurtural forward nurtural reverse. However in reverse it’s starts out slow and picks up speed at a sluggish pace. When in forward it starts slow but picks up speed at a rapid speed.

additionally the motor makes a little more noise and is hot to the touch than before with the barrel eunit.

any suggestions or explanations would be very helpful in the slow response.  

found the answer to my problem in old post:"

Ok so I did it, I ordered four (4) Dallee 400 units. I am taking out the pendulum units in my 260Es and retiring them to a cigar box. The pendulum units are unreliable and I do not like the motor noise resulting from the open gravity connector. The electronic unit seems to be a very reliable answer.  Has anyone a recommendation for other units to try in Lionel prewar locomotives.

Thanks

@Michael Roth posted:

Has anyone a recommendation for other units to try in Lionel prewar locomotives.

There are other options, but Dallee is a forum sponsor.

I completely disassembled the 260E and removed an old barrel eunit.
I am going to install the 400 series Dallee electronic e-unit.

the motor was reassembled incorrectly at some time in its life and drive gear was backwards. The person shimmed the gear with a metal washer. I had to sand the gear face down because friction has melted some of the washer on to the gear.  Additionally the metal frame was also gouged. I sanded and polished the metal. Now it glide smooth.

I will post final test run next weekend.

Update

i installed two Dallee 400 in a Lionel prewar 260e and 262. Both run ultra smooth. The only issue I had was disconnecting the field coil ground from the frame. The grounding lug cannot be removed unless you separate the frame. I wasn’t about to try and pry apart so I had to get out the magnifier lamp and tweezer. Really tight spot but I hooked the wire and soldered on an extension.

both frames were built the same see location of ground wire.

Wiring job completed just to tighten things up and final mount the E-Unit

test run

262 complete and ready for Christmas

260e With Dallee 400 electronic unit and extra leds in the front boiler cover

Wow, nice job, I’m impressed.