Lionel 165 magnet crane

Sometimes you can get smoke, but not enough damage to keep things from working. Does it still work?  Was it the magnet that smoked?  The eye on top of the magnet where the hook attaches is actually the screw that holds the magnet together. If the coil is burned up it can be repaired. 

Thanks so much for your reply, David.  

The (4) up, down, side to side buttons work just fine. Presently, the red cab light functions with the turn of the center control knob, however, the solid cylindrical core has actually dropped down from the magnet housing.  It does NOT allow itself to be pushed back "up into" the center of the black scored housing which is the assembly where the hook attaches.

Does my description make sense?

Also, when I look at some photos of the magnet assembly on-line, it appears mine is different.  As I said above, my crane has a solid core smaller in diameter than a pencil, about a half-inch long, which is now "separated" from the interior workings of the magnet housing.  The housing itself has a larger "core" into which the small cylindrical core once fit.

I thought when I bought this back in Niagara Falls some years ago from my good railroad buddy, Larry Gee, that my model was a pre-war, # 65 Magnet Crane.  (yellow cab, red roof, green boom, silver tower, green base)  Does that make any difference?

I truly appreciate any help or counsel you can offer.

The Lord be with you,

Bradley+

These being just toys, Lionel was free to make design changes at any time.  Hopefully the information I provide is accurate for your magnet. Much of the 165 morphed over into the 182, so the production run on many of these parts was many years. 

On the magnets I am familiar with, the center pole piece is about 3/8" in diameter.  However it has a step in it and a much larger washer is retained by the pole piece.  This pole piece is then clenched over on the top trapping the parts that make up the spool that the magnet wire is wound on. 

I would suggest that you remove the screw eye on top of the magnet.  It is a short 8-32 brass screw, Lionel part number 165-26. It should come right out.  This part has been available recently.  Also MTH reproduced the 165 several years ago and parts from that may also be available and interchangeable. Once the screw is out, the magnet should drop out of the die cast housing. Becareful with the wires that go through the housing do not get damaged when you remove the magnet.  If the magnet is toast, it could be rewound.  Information I have is that there are 900 turns of #31 magnet wire. In good condition the coil should have about 19 ohms of resistance. 

900 turns would be quite a project to wind by hand. If you have a small motor shop in your area, they probably have a coil winding machine that would make the job easier.  Another good source for both rewinding and information is Bob Hannon, support@trainrefs.com.  He is the author of the "O Gauge Reference Manual", in two volumes.  It deals primarily with motor and coil rewinding.

See pictures below for a better idea on how the magnet is built.

You could just replace the magnet assy. The part number is 165-13 , it would cost almost the same as rewinding the coil.

may I please do that, and, further, if it is you from whom I should order it, might I phone you?

Bradley+

thank you, Mr. Johnston, for the incredible response...what a wonderful thing to know people who enjoy this hobby/life and who are, further, willing to take the time like you did to help me understand the workings of this awesome accessory

Jeff Kane at the Train Tender has this part I am fairly sure.

Tayloring the coil may give you a stronger magnet.  A voltage limiter and/or thermal breaker, may help save it next round   (switched and/or adjustable?)

Pastor Brad posted:

may I please do that, and, further, if it is you from whom I should order it, might I phone you?

Bradley+

Dennis Waldron, Just Trains, 973-704-0545, has new magnets for $45. I saw 3 used magnets on eBay for in the $20 to $30 range last night. Down side of eBay is you never really know what your getting until you actually receive it.  I am not aware of any other parts dealers that still have the 165/182 magnet in stock.

Pastor, 

Our phone number here is 973-702-0545

Dennis

I'll try to call tomorrow, Dennis.

Thanks for writing with your number.

The LORD be with you,

Bradley+