Hi all - I bought a used 2004 lionel version of the 583A. Hooked up per instructions. Red and green buttons both activate the motor and do make the magnet work. However, the motor just buzzes and the cab won't rotate. I'm putting 16v to it and don't see any obvious obstructions. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Kevin Rice posted:Hi all - I bought a used 2004 lionel version of the 583A. Hooked up per instructions. Red and green buttons both activate the motor and do make the magnet work. However, the motor just buzzes and the cab won't rotate. I'm putting 16v to it and don't see any obvious obstructions. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
A long shot, but are you supplying AC current to a device that requires DC? I'm not familiar with Lionel cranes, so I don't know their internal wiring.
I hadn't thought to check on that! I will take a look when I get home tonight. Thanks.
Don't know the model you have, this might help.
Oh, that 583A crane (didn't recognize the number)! Its the Lionel reissue of the venerable AF crane. Assuming that no one has messed with it, it almost certainly is AC. As you likely know, this is set up so that rotating the crane cab also lifts the hook/magnet -- the cord is tied off on the stationary frame behind the rotating cab so as it rotates, that cord doesn't move, but simply raises/lowers the hook. One thing you might try is to untie the cord just to see if the cab rotates without it - perhaps the cord is binding on something. IIRC, you should be able to remove the cab and then see if the motor axle is spinning -- looking at it from below, you should be able to see the motor and gearing (well, you could on the old version - I suppose now its a can motor).
FWIW, I acquired an old 583 -- not sure, it might have been the -A version -- the difference is whether the controller is one button or two (not relevant for yours). In any event, I rebuilt mine using small Tamiya (I think) electric motors purchased from a robotics store so I have completely independent control of the raising/lowering of the hook/magnet and the right/left rotation -- all done through a simple joy stick. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.
Found the issue! Broken rubber pulley belt in the gear box assembly. Now to find a replacement. Hopefully the local hobby store that carries a lot of RC and robotics items. Thanks!
I looked through my papers & can not find the info you need . There is a fellow upper north east that buys items from Lionel that Lionel will not keep in stock . He should still have the belts . It is used in the repo barrel loader also . You might contact " The Train Tender " & he might know where to find the belts . Also might try Carl Tuveson & Ed Golden . You will want to rotate the crane by hand back & forth several times to make sure it moves freely . Do not put oil under the cab where it rotates . Very poor design on the rotation undeer the cab.!!
Good Luck
Bob G
Thanks for the tips Bob G.!
Kevin , That new sponsor listed at the top of the forum ( S & W ) might be the parts dealer that I was thinking of .
Bob G.
An update for future reference needs. I was finally able to complete the repair. The broken belt replacement came from eBay. It used a 30mm diameter square drive belt. 1.3 mm thick. Less than $8.00. Belt is used in repair of cassette decks and VCRs. I've been operating the crane for about 6 months now with no issues from the replacement belt. Crane works fine. Hope this may be of help to someone in the future!
Square Rubber Belt 1.6mm Thick 30mm Diameter VCR Cassette Arduino Gear Motor
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