@breezinup

Do you have the product number for this version handy?

Mike

Here's one:

CHRISTMAS ROTARY BEACON SKU: 2129120

This appears to be a complete redesign from the original postwar version that used an incandescent bulb's heat to promote convective airflow up through the angled fins in the top of the beacon.  This airflow pushes on the fins (like fan blades) to produce rotation of the beacon.

This newer version uses an LED. Based on the cs-2129130-300-p part description, it may be capable of running on either AC or DC.  The user manual doesn't specify AC or DC.

I would speculate that the black cylinder on top of the tower just below the beacon contains a small motor and perhaps some reduction gearing.

@SteveH posted:

This appears to be a complete redesign from the original postwar version that used an incandescent bulb's heat to promote convective airflow up through the angled fins in the top of the beacon.  This airflow pushes on the fins (like fan blades) to produce rotation of the beacon.

This newer version uses an LED. Based on the cs-2129130-300-p part description, it may be capable of running on either AC or DC.  The user manual doesn't specify AC or DC.

I would speculate that the black cylinder on top of the tower just below the beacon contains a small motor and perhaps some reduction gearing.

The Postwar airflow version was replaced a long time ago by a vibrator motor, but this appears something different from that type. A motorized drive version would be nice.

For my Lionel original postwar rotary beacon version that used an dimpled top incandescent bulb, I have often thought of using an small aquarium blower to supply air through a clear piece of tube to  underneath the finned lens holder to rotate it.

Just never got around to it.

Charlie

The original 394 tower had the top rotated by heat convection and used the dimpled bulb.  They redesigned it in 1950 to use the vibro motor like the wig wag and other accesories used.  This rotated the beacon top better but with the vibrating buzz noise of that design.  So the new one picture above either has that design or they are using a tiny motor with a gear box to rotate it. 

I’ve never seen a Lionel version with a hump or wart in the base.
Steve

@RideTheRails posted:

I’ve never seen a Lionel version with a hump or wart in the base.
Steve

That's because this is a plug and play version- thus compatible with DC 18V power packs from Lionchief.

So then you might be asking, wait, DC power, a vibrating style motor on the beacon, LED?

The PCB capable of creating AC for the magnet coil of the motor assembly, with DC coming in- just like many of the new searchlight "security" cabooses that you may have missed that came in the recent Army Lionchief sets.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/PCB-AC-DC-ROTARY-BEACON

PCB / AC/DC / ROTARY BEACON

Unfortunately they do not provide a picture of that PCB, however, here is a similar example.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/PCB-SECURITY-CAR

They are using a 555 timer and the 2SD882L to generate the AC from DC for the motor coil.

Similar PCB is also used in the Plug and Play operating freight stations

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ng-Freight-Station_2

Again, just trying to explain, it's not "just" the beacons that have changed for plug and play.

Many of the traditional "AC required" vibrating motor accessories have been updated to work with the DC power supplies often found and shipping with the Lionchief items. They are both AC and DC compatible, unlike in the past where they required AC to make the vibration happen. These boards rectify to DC (or just accept DC), then generate an AC output to the vibrating coils specifically in these accessories.

P&P Operating Horse Corral

P&P Operating Freight stations

P&P Beacons

P&P Security Caboose with Searchlight

I'm sure there are more I just haven't mentioned

Other examples of plug and play vibrating motor boards- the plug and play versions of the horse corral https://www.lionelsupport.com/...HORSE-CAR-AND-CORRAL

So, the upgrade to the new version is just to be able to work with DC and the beacon still spins with the old vibro motor?

@texgeekboy posted:

So, the upgrade to the new version is just to be able to work with DC and the beacon still spins with the old vibro motor?

Bingo- that is what is under the hump (the AC/DC compatible motor driver) and why the top rotating beacon is back to a vibe rotor and rubber finger washer along with an LED light source.

Again, under the hump in the base is likely a heasink or metal block for the transistor and the

https://www.lionelsupport.com/PCB-AC-DC-ROTARY-BEACON

PCB / AC/DC / ROTARY BEACON

While Lionel does not provide a picture of that specific PCB, similar PCBs are found in LIonel parts listings for other vibe rotor and vibration based accessories that previously required AC that now under recently released plug and play versions are now DC compatible with the Lionchief DC supplies. This same board also provides regulated DC (5V) for the LED.

Thanks @Vernon Barry.  On a annoying noise scale of 1 - 10, I find the rotary beacon to be a 3.  Lionel has way worse things (e.g., animated news stand, which would be a 9). If that little box was a silent motor that spun the beacon, I may have considered it.  

@texgeekboy posted:

  Lionel has way worse things (e.g., animated news stand, which would be a 9).

I made a mistake buying the Lionel Barber Shop with the rotating barber pole. Noise level was a 10!

I can imagine.  That is a newer product too, right?  The rotating beacon and the animated newstand I have are both post war.  I was hoping the beacon had new technology.

Another noisy annoying thing is the animated sheriff/hobo car.  To me that is another 9.  I see a new version is out (not sure if it's Lionel though) where the chasing motion is powered by gears that turned when the car was in motion.  I imagine that is way quieter, but it won't work when the car isn't moving.