WHISTLE MOTOR PROBLEM

Sounds like you need to clean the commutator face and perhaps replace the brushes if they're bad.  While you're cleaning the commutator, make sure you clean any "gunk" from between the segments.  Finally, using an ohmmeter, check all around on adjacent commutator segments, all should read equally.  For three commutator segments, you'll have three readings, working your way around the commutator.

You said you cleaned it, if you did it like John mentioned, and if it runs great once turning, it sounds like you may have a slight misalignment that prevents it from starting, but once started it runs great.  So I would turn armature slowly to see if it catches anywhere.  If not, and the commutator, brushes, springs and holders all clean and good, I would go back to a segment maybe bad and it runs on 2 of the 3 poles, but when started with a brush on the bad segment it can't start.  G

Hi John and GGG,

I had cleaned between the segments and the faces of the segments as John suggested.  With a typical ohmmeter I get 0 ohms between all of the segments.   With my super sensitive ohmmeter I get 10.5 ohms between all of the segments. What is your opinion on these readings.  Also, the armature rotates smoothly by hand and the brushes look good.

Next step is I have another Flying Yankee whistle that works well and I am going to put that one's armature in the one I am working on to see what happens.  Will let you know results.

Thanks for all of your help,  Jim Lawson

The equal readings on each armature winding indicates you have a good armature, at least electrically good.

Hi

We have found that a lot of times the bushings are shot or going bad.

sounds like the armature is moving twards feild at times.

 this is a sing that the bushings are going bad.