Posting this for my buddy who can no longer get on the forum. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to de-magnetize the contact plate on the bottom of a PW whistle coil? When I engage the whistle button to activate the whistle, the contact plate that touches the bottom of the coil sticks to it even after I dis-engage the whistle button. The whistle continues to operate for another 5 - 7 seconds. Thanks for the help.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Here is how I solve that. Remove the bottom plate carefully without damaging the little brass tabs. Then I sand the bottom of the coil and the bottom plate surface. I then run it across a tool magnatizer/demagnatizer to remove any left over magnatizm.
Has worked well for me. You want to make sure too that the whistle button on the transformer is not sticking.
Rob
Thanks Rob. I'll pass that on to my buddy.
I'd definitely check the whistle button first.
I agree with "Wild Mary". I have played with and serviced whistles for many years and never found a plate that became magnetized. After time, whistle buttons become sluggish and have a delayed opening. A quick squirt of WD-40 around the button might solve the problem.
Jim Lawson
There is a demagnetizer that almost everybody has and comes in quite handy for small parts. Its called a souldering gun. The loop of wire formed by the tip has high current AC running through it. Simply pass anything that will fit between the wires back and fourth a couple of times. Just remember the tip is hot and do not turn the gun off until you removed the part a few inches away. Works great for small parts and screwdrivers.
Al
Thanks, Al. Will try that. Also, if the relay plate continues to stick, put a strip of scotch tape on the plate on the side toward the magnet.