3444 cop/hobo running backward

Does the spindle run on DC? If so, just reverse the wires and see what happens. Please note that I am not familiar with the car so the DC question.

EDIT: Just reverse the figures if possible.

the 3444 runs on a/c and the figures are attached to a film strip. they cannot be removed.

Service Manual might be helpful if you don't have it.

Mike23,

My suggestion is that you list it for big bucks on Ebay as a rare reverse variation, and then buy a common, forward moving, version

I have the/a repair manual.  Nothing about backward movement.  It’s weird. The spindle resists my nudging it in the other direction.  Like it’s saying- no, I’m going the right way.

Sounds like the string that is wrapped around the bottom of the spindle is wrapped the wrong direction, CLW or CCLW.  The spring on the end of the string may be eay to detach so you can rewind it.

The spring, and the anchor are on opposite sides of the motor. You cannot change the eyelet hole for the spring, and you cannot change the eyelet hole for the string.

Just a thought here what if you rolled the film inside out.in other words make the inside the outside

The cop and hobo are permanently attached to the film. flipping the film makes them on the inside and they hit the spindle. I know it's weird but, ya, it wants to spin backward.

ok, so yes it's weird.

I'll have to just keep playing with it and hope to figure it out.

I'll post if I figure it out.

@Mike23 posted:

Title says it all my 3444 animated gondola seems to be vibrating in a backward direction. Meaning the cop and hobo are going backwards. It used to work I have played around with it somewhat fixing the gap. I’ve replaced the string, but at some point it seem to just start running backwards. The spindle vibrates in a counterclockwise direction, no tugging or pulling the spindle will get it to move in a clockwise direction.   Any thoughts?

In the service manual Susan posted recommends an air gap  1/16”. Have you verified your spacing since I understand you adjusted it? Or can you return it to its previous position?

The gap seems fine as you can see in the video. I'm beginning to wonder if the replacement string is too thick and overlapping itself causing some sort of binding and.....making it pull the other way???

I vote for too loose on the string. The solenoid should pull the string in quickly, tightening on the pulley and rotating it slightly. The release should slacken the line and the spring takes up the slack. I’m wondering if there is too much slack; the solenoid pulls it just tight enough to pull in the slack to where it is now tight but not enough to move the pulley, then the spring is pulling it back. Maybe string too thick could play into that. I’d try bending the spring tab to tighten the string since that’s quick and easy. If that doesn’t work it may be a string issue.

The solution is simple, the film is running in the correct way, counter clockwise. Reverse the positions of the figures on the hooks on the film, yes they are removable and then turn the figures 180 degrees.

fixed! fixed! fixed!

If you said the string was too thick you are right!!  I went and checked the gap, and the tension and switched the repo string for sewing thread and BINGO! ran forward. I've read that fishing line will work and I have a rod in my shed!

Thanks for all the help.

If you reverse the figures you'll only see the back of the hobo

Well, I was wrong, the film does move clock-wise. Watched a vid and sure enough........