@MED posted:@dkdkrd wrote:
I recall another source said they had better success attaching the finger washer to the inside of the beacon instead of to the top surface of the solenoid. Haven't done this myself, but maybe worth a try.
Per Olsen's Train Repair Database CD, for the 494 beacon, an adhesive washer is first installed in the Lens Bracket, followed by a driving washer with the nibs facing outward from the Lens Bracket, and these nibs sit on the base's coil.
Interesting, and noted.
However, whereas my own personal beacon accessory is the 394 dimpled bulb version, I've had more of the 494 beacons, and their 'vibramotored' ilk, cross my workbench for repair requests where the old finger washer was attached to the top of the solenoid. It must have worked for the customers...the fingers were worn down in that mode. So, I attached the replacement washer to the same location. And it all worked fine from the git-go, happy customers.
Two of the reasons I never tried the apparently recommended arrangement shown in your response are:
1) Getting the adhesive washer and finger washer inserted properly, concentrically into the lens bracket cup seemed more challenging that simply applying it to the unobstructed solenoid surface, and...
2) Giving graphite powder a chance to stay on the rubber fingers seemed more probable (gravity) with that washer on the solenoid, rather than hanging upside-down inside the lens bracket. Again, an intuitive judgment...no personal experience.
But thanks for sharing the mfrs recommendation.
Whatever. TEHO, I guess.
KD
