I have a 746 that the directional handle/arm is broken off (inside the Shell). Suggestions? Replace the E unit, or can just the handle/arm be replaced? Suggestions on where to send it for repair?
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Just for clarification. Part of the handle is still there, just not visible above the Shell.
Unless on a regular basis you are locking down the e unit to one direction why bother with the repair? As long as it cycles you are good to go.
@Bill DeBrooke posted:Unless on a regular basis you are locking down the e unit to one direction why bother with the repair? As long as it cycles you are good to go.
It’s not going to cycle if the arm has fallen off....the arm completes the circuit to energize the coil...eventually the drum will vibrate out of sync from running, and she’ll go into neutral and stall.....if the OP isn’t comfortable making the repair, he’ll need to take it in, or send it somewhere for repairs...
Grady, what state do you live in so we can send you or the loco the shortest distance....
Pat
@harmonyards posted:It’s not going to cycle if the arm has fallen off....the arm completes the circuit to energize the coil...eventually the drum will vibrate out of sync from running, and she’ll go into neutral and stall.....if the OP isn’t comfortable making the repair, he’ll need to take it in, or send it somewhere for repairs...
Grady, what state do you live in so we can send you or the loco the shortest distance....
Pat
He said the arm was intact.
sounds like a short piece of scrap metal or plastic and a drop of super glue would do the job. There are lots of old e units which could be cannibalized. Send me an email with telephone #. Probably no need to replace e unit if quick fix works. If it doesn't, then replace it.
John
@harmonyards posted:It’s not going to cycle if the arm has fallen off....the arm completes the circuit to energize the coil...
Solder a jumper from the tab that the lever would touch to any metal ground. Electricity acts the same as if the lever were still there. Just can’t disengage the e-unit.
@Bill DeBrooke posted:He said the arm was intact.
Oops. I misread that part. If you remove the boiler and stick the arm back up, it doesn’t stay up and through the slot when the boiler is back on?
It only has 3 screws to take off the shell. If the lever isn't floppy, just put it straight up and install the shell, then move the lever to engage the E unit. I am in eastern PA and do repairs on postwar, if it needs attention. Thanks!
Here is an update. The Arm is intact, it’s just been broken off so it’s short enough it doesn’t stick out beyond the Shell.
I live in Asheville, NC
757-635-3687
The e unit lever just grounds the e unit coil. It the lever is broken off, just run a short wire from the side terminal the lever use to touch to the screw that mounts the e unit. The e unit will operate normally, you just will not be able to lock it in forward or reverse.
@Grady McKinley posted:Here is an update. The Arm is intact, it’s just been broken off so it’s short enough it doesn’t stick out beyond the Shell.
I live in Asheville, NC
757-635-3687
Well darn it, ....close but no cigar, I’m in eastern NC .....if you wanna make the hump, we can certainly put a lever on it....but to be sure there’s somebody between us that can help you...that is if you wanna be bothered with the lever, ....otherwise, as others have mentioned, you could just bridge it and be done...
Pat
A piece of scrap would probably do the trick, assuming I could attach it (would Super Glue hold?).
ill see if I can find a piece of scrap that would do the trick.
@David Johnston posted:The e unit lever just grounds the e unit coil. It the lever is broken off, just run a short wire from the side terminal the lever use to touch to the screw that mounts the e unit. The e unit will operate normally, you just will not be able to lock it in forward or reverse.
If you go this route, I think a simple SPST switch mounted somewhere accessible and tapped into the jumper wire would serve the same purpose the lever does as far as giving control of locking in a direction or not. You're simply switching the power that feeds the E-Unit coil to turn it on and off.
Here is an up close photo of the E Unit.
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Well, it’ll certainly still work like that, you just won’t be able to lock it out from above....if it works, you can just leave it be, or attempt a repair......if you are just looking to run it, itll be fine as long as the unit cycles,......not sure why that got so mangled up, but clearly somebody didn’t like that lever protruding through....
Pat
It's not an everyday 2037. I say fix it correctly like a 746 deserves. Just my opinion
replace the e-unit....and be done with it....instead of making it a Rube Goldberg project..
I was unaware that 2037’s were everyday locomotives, ....I don’t see one everyday.....yes, it’d be nice to have it repaired properly, and yes, it does deserve to be fixed like factory, however, if the OP wants to run it, it certainly will go as is...as long as it’ll cycle,....if he just wants to run it, does he need to park it till the lever gets fixed?....heck no....if it’ll run ...enjoy it till a repair can be made.......
Pat
If it works I would leave it . Improves the look not having it sticking out of the boiler shell
@BRIAN WHITE posted:If it works I would leave it . Improves the look not having it sticking out of the boiler shell
I would straighten the lever and put a black plastic or rubber "extension" on it that could be manipulated through the slot with a craft stick or stirrer stick to keep the functionality if desired and make it look better w/o the silver lever protruding.
@harmonyards posted:I was unaware that 2037’s were everyday locomotives, ....I don’t see one everyday.....yes, it’d be nice to have it repaired properly, and yes, it does deserve to be fixed like factory, however, if the OP wants to run it, it certainly will go as is...as long as it’ll cycle,....if he just wants to run it, does he need to park it till the lever gets fixed?....heck no....if it’ll run ...enjoy it till a repair can be made.......
Pat
Yes, 2037s are everyday locos. And the list gets bigger when we are talking about a 746. Apples to pineapples comparison. But like I said just my opinion. I have 2 746s and and uncountable number of little Prairie Locos and such in boxes. I would not let my 746 go like that. But again, just my opinion. You get the idea
@MattR posted:Yes, 2037s are everyday locos. And the list gets bigger when we are talking about a 746. Apples to pineapples comparison. But like I said just my opinion. I have 2 746s and and uncountable number of little Prairie Locos and such in boxes. I would not let my 746 go like that. But again, just my opinion. You get the idea
I’m just givin ya a hard time buddy.....I agree with you, a 746 is a sweet piece...I was pretty stoked when I got mine.....it should be fixed as factory....
Pat
