Are Lionel 2689W Tenders Inherently Noisy?

This is what I experience. They start faster at higher voltages. They don't work too well at low voltage. I haven't tried anything to fix it. 

George

Your 2689W tender uses a standard whistle mechanism. I think a 2689W  is a sheet metal "Coffin" tender. The sheet metal may amplify the sound a bit. There may not be room for grommets.

Some whistle motors are noisier than others. The first thing to do is make certain the bearings are properly lubricated.
Many folks believe the noise comes from sloppy bearings. Whistle motors tend to be neglected, especially those in coffin tenders because they aren't really made to come apart for service. One has to bend tabs to get to the mechanism.
According to Lionel's service manual, the bearing hole in the brush plate is "line reamed" as part of the assembly process.
You can try changing the brush plate to see if the noise is reduced. (The new brush plate will need to be broken in.) Last time I looked, they were only around $5.00.
I suggest reading up on Lionel whistle mechanisms: Service manual on Whistles

C W Burfle posted:

Your 2689W tender uses a standard whistle mechanism. I think a 2689W  is a sheet metal "Coffin" tender. The sheet metal my amplify the sound a bit. There may not be room for grommets.

Some whistle motors are noisier than others. The first thing to do is make certain the bearings are properly lubricated.
Many folks believe the noise comes from sloppy bearings. Whistle motors tend to be neglected, especially those in coffin tenders because they aren't really made to come apart for service. One has to bend tabs to get to the mechanism.
According to Lionel's service manual, the bearing hole in the brush plate is "line reamed" as part of the assembly process.
You can try changing the brush plate to see if the noise is reduced. (The new brush plate will need to be broken in.) Last time I looked, they were only around $5.00.
I suggest reading up on Lionel whistle mechanisms: Service manual on Whistles

That's good advice. Brush plates tend to wear over time making the armature bounce and rattle, which will also rattle the fan in the whistle.

George

Thanks for your responses and advice. The 1666 Prarie runs quite fast at 10v but the whistle sounds relatively loud after the rattle start. I’ll try a new brush plate, at that price not much to lose!

Rich

A new brushplate will help with the 'grinding' noise when the whistle firsts start. It is the DC mixed in with the AC current that is causing the noise. Transformers also play a big part in the noise. Use only a prewar or postwar transformers that have a good diode in the transformer. New modern electronic transformers, like the CW, will cause a lot of whistle motor noise.

Nearly all of the mechanical whistles I've seen don't work well at lower voltages, producing a high "coffee grinder" to "whistle" ratio.  Servicing (i.e., lubricating and perhaps changing the brush plate) will help them sound their best - but they're really designed to operate (and do so pretty well) once you're above 10V or so (YMMV).

Did Rich indicate which transformer he is using with his 2689W tender?