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 Posted - April 26 2015 : 11:22:07 AM
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Hi,
I recently purchased a Tyco Maxwell House Billboard and Train Whistle but when I press the button it makes an obnoxious humming sound instead of a train whistle. If I just blow through the whistle it sounds fine. Is this something that can be fixed?
Thank you!
Erik
Edited by - Erikvet on April 26 2015 11:28:07 AM
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 Posted - April 26 2015 : 5:22:00 PM
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Sounds like the electric motor driving the fan is bad. Or could be jammed with debris. I assume this is the fan-whistle type, and not the electronic whistle. Sounds like it needs to come apart and you need to spin the motor/fan by hand to see if it will move, or is frozen. You can try to spin the fan without taking it apart, using a thin rod to reach it, see if the motor will spin at all. If not, time for a new motor.
Jerry in VA
does train repairs...
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 26 2015 : 6:17:46 PM
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Hey Erik, like Jerry is saying just begin diagnosis by trying to turn the fan in it. If you can disassemble it to get at the motor it may help to add a tiny drop of oil at each place where the shaft rides (these are the bearings). One of the first things to learn when beginning to mess with trains is to always use plastic compatible oil. (I use Wahl hair clipper oil)
Randy
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Posted - April 26 2015 : 8:45:32 PM
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Easy fix.
Take one heavy hammer, apply repeatedly.
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Posted - April 26 2015 : 9:10:44 PM
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quote:Easy fix.
Take one heavy hammer, apply repeatedly.
Originally posted by PGE33Â -Â April 26 2015Â :Â 8:45:32 PM
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heheheh....ok I got my laugh for the day 
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - April 26 2015 : 11:07:17 PM
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quote:Sounds like the electric motor driving the fan is bad. Or could be jammed with debris. I assume this is the fan-whistle type, and not the electronic whistle. Sounds like it needs to come apart and you need to spin the motor/fan by hand to see if it will move, or is frozen. You can try to spin the fan without taking it apart, using a thin rod to reach it, see if the motor will spin at all. If not, time for a new motor.
Jerry in VA
does train repairs...
Originally posted by AMC_Gremlin_GTÂ -Â April 26 2015Â :Â 5:22:00 PM
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Hi, the fan spins and if it's been a while since it has been tried it will very briefly whistle and then proceed to make the louder humming noise (while still spinning). Thanks!
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Posted - April 27 2015 : 08:35:10 AM
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I vote for oil.
Randy
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Posted - April 27 2015 : 09:14:51 AM
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Is the fan blade loose on the motor shaft?
Regards, John
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. <> George Washington
Edited by - JRG1951 on April 27 2015 11:20:20 AM
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Posted - May 15 2015 : 11:44:06 PM
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| Give it a shot of TV tuner cleaner then wipe off the excess. It should revive.
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Posted - May 17 2015 : 4:52:44 PM
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The bearings are dry. Tuner cleaner is good for dirt, but it will strip out all the lubricant. Some cleaners have a very thin contact lubricant in them , but it's much too thin for motor bearings.
Assuming it isn't sealed, take it apart and put a small drop of oil on each bearing.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - October 18 2015 : 4:06:03 PM
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Another possibility is that the motor is spinning the wrong direction. The fan inside the mechanism should blow, not suck air through the whistle chamber. Try reversing the polarity of the electric fan motor by switching the hook up wires connecting the accessory to the power pack. Incidentally I had this accessory when I was a youngster and I remember being disappointed with its sound quality.
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
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