I have 2 lionel ice stations 352...and both have the same problem. When activated...the motor pushes the ice man out...but does not bring him back. If I shut the power..he'll return...so to make it work..power on..then off..then on..then off. Anyone know how to fix it. Thanks
Ed Roth
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I'll take a guess since everyone is busy. There is probably a switch that is tripped as the man goes that cuts the power allowing him to return.
I am using that ice stations switch ...which is the doorbell button. There seems to be something in the bottom metal pieces that go back and around and forth...that seems to be sticking and not letting the cam come back and forth.
Ed
The behavior described is as designed and intended. The mechanism of the postwar 352 (and MPC 2306) is a simple solenoid such as used in the milk car, gateman, crossing gate, etc. There is no "motor". The solenoid is energized (button is pushed) to move the "man" and "ice" block out, a spring returns the "man" when power is interrupted (button is no longer pushed). See this video
Note that modern iterations (12703 et al.) have a continuous action via a motor. See here and elsewhere for a bit more.
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