I have a WSR-200 Whistle Relay in a 2046W tender that has a tendency to remain on once activated. It almost appears to me that the core of the relay is slightly magnetized (without power applied) - enough so that once the contact plate is pulled up under power, it is unable to be naturally released to open the circuit again. Do I need to replace the WSR-200 relay, or is there a way to demagnetize it?
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I purchased a old f 3 that had the same problem. The first thing I did was spray the relay armature with some rubbing alcohol and then moved the plate up and down several times. That took care of the problem.
Place a piece of masking tape cut to fit on top of the armature plate where it meets the magnet core and it won't stick anymore.
Place a piece of masking tape cut to fit on top of the armature plate where it meets the magnet core and it won't stick anymore.
ADCX Rob, to my surprise, the tape works! However, it just feels like an uncouth solution.
I know, but it works every time.
Place a piece of masking tape cut to fit on top of the armature plate where it meets the magnet core and it won't stick anymore.
ADCX Rob, to my surprise, the tape works! However, it just feels like an uncouth solution.
While there are more...'elegant'...solutions, to be sure, I'm a fan of these BG/BW (Bubble Gum/Baling Wire) solutions to solve common conventional problems. This one's a keeper! It ranks right up there with the tiny rubber band to hold a wimpy coupler pin in place to keep a knuckle closed. In the rest of the world it's part of the duct tape and oak bearing lexicon of solutions to life's niggling problems, I suppose.
Good one, Rob!
KD
Putting tape on the relay armature surface might leave a sticky residue if for some reason you decide to remove it in the future and only then it will stay in the closed position. I always opt for more practial solutions.
Putting tape on the relay armature surface might leave a sticky residue...
"Might" being the operative word. Most masking tape dries out and falls off, so it is more likely that that little piece would fall out doe to a lack of stickiness.