A coupla months ago I created a post about my inability to get a Lionel 2037 steamer to run. I mentioned checking the E unit with an ohm meter etc. and despite it checking out OK I could NOT get the engine to run. I had the e unit apart a few times and cleaned everything - checking and re-checking and could find nothing wrong. I knew the motor was fine.
I re-addressed this engine last week and this time I took a can of De-Oxit D-5 electronic cleaner (I buy this stuff by the case for my Hi-Fi business) and gave a tiny shot to the electrical parts of the E unit. The engine sprang to life! Everything clicks like new and it never misses a cycle! The engine runs strong and smooth. All due to a shot of De-Oxit.
I had a friend over the house the other day who is an electrical guy in fact he is a senior manager with the LIRR. I mentioned this to him and he tells me that once in a while they run into a similar anomaly at the railroad where they will have some switch point that will show continuity with an ohm meter but will not pass current! The moment they clean it it works fine.
All I know is I have been in the electronics business for 40+ years and never experienced anything like this before. I have been using De-Oxit for many years. In fact due to my promotion of De-Oxit in my business dealings a manager from the company (Caig) once called me to discus how I use it. As far as I am concerned it is the best electronics cleaner there is. It has never ever attacked chassis lettering or caused any issue of any kind AND it LASTS. Cleaned stuff stays clean. It will also act as a gentle lubricant and will evaporate leaving a protective coating.
For what its worth!
