Postwar 6026W Whistle

Greg:

 

I’m not sure I can help but I do know that not all modern transformers are compatible with post-war whistles so the first question someone else will want answered is “What transformer are you using?”  The second question will probably be “Do your other postwar whistle tenders and diesel horns work well with that transformer?”

 

Bill

Thanks for the reply.  I am operating the whistle using a legacy remote in convential mode.  The track is powered through a TPC 300 connecting to a ZW terminal.  Yes, I have tested other tenders although they were the 2046W model and their sound was quite loud and successful!

Check for dead spiders, webs and insects in the whistle chambers.  Any cracks in the plastic whistle box? Also is the armature turning in the right direction? If the unit has been rewired the motor could be operating in the wrong direction, producing little or no whistle sound.

Its free of dirt and any debris.  Which was is the correct way of rotation?  How do I correct it if it is wrong?

Did you change the brush springs?  I had bad luck with a replacement set that put too much pressure on the armature, and when I went back to the original springs, all was well.

No did not replace the brush springs....they are the originals.

The motor should run clockwise. If by chance it is running the wrong way, reverse the 2 field wires from the brushplate and contact lug on the relay

ok. the motor was running counter--clockwise so i reversed the wires and now it is worse!

Well return the wires back to the original location. Only thing left I can think of is does the whistle work when you close the relay by hand with the track power on? If it does the rectifier in your transformer may need replacing. You didn't say what transformer you are using. Or are you using a external whistle control?

Lube that center armature bearing with a drop of synthetic oil at both sides - impeller and armature/poles, as well as a drop at the brushplate bushing. It may take a good several minutes of running to work in and turn smoothly.

If the bearings were very dry, they may need a second application of oil.

quote:

Did you change the brush springs?  I had bad luck with a replacement set that put too much pressure on the armature, and when I went back to the original springs, all was well.

 

I have yet to see replacement coil type brush springs (or any replacement coil type springs) that have the correct length or tension. I always re-use the original brush springs if they are in good condition. (clean them first).

I wonder why the parts guys can't source the correct springs.

Chances are, after all you have done and tested, somewhere you have an air leak.  Even a slight leak will greatly diminish the whistle sound and can be very difficult to find..  I would find a replacement whistle and chalk this one off to "dead by an unknown cause".

 

Jim