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I have a # 3186 electric loco in for repair. I am not up on the motor's reverse unit on top of the motor, and additional coil & contact points at the end of the motor. The idler gear also contains a 'cam' type piece mounted ( removable ) on the idler gear. As arrived, it is wired up to run forward only. My main question is what is the end coil / contact unit used for?  I thought maybe headlight reversing? bell ? Not enough room for a bell mount. Is this the right motor for this body?  I have installed a new collector and wheel set, runs good.  Thank you in advance.  Harry 

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Chuck,

 I will get Stephanie to post a few pictures when she comes in. There are so many points of contact that have definitely been 'messed' with. There are at least 7 wire connections on top of board, and I think several others missing. I think the cost of re-making contacts etc. , will not be worth the cost of fixing for the client.  All in-put will be appreciated. Harry 

Harry,

  You'd be surprised what the customer might decide. You folks are sooo totally honest, I think if you explained the necessary repairs that would be needed, I think you could have another "customer for life," like myself. 

If it helps, there is one on eBay up right now, if needed for parts.

 Tom 

Harry,

in the third picture (IMG 9554(1)) the lever that has the elongated slot in it is bent the tab at the bottom that is perpendicular to the motor should be straight down so that it engages the "cam" piece. The way this works is when the power comes on the coil on the end of the motor pulls the long rocking lever down raising the slotted lever clear of the cam. when the power is shut off the rocking arm allows the slotted lever to engage the spinning cam which in turn rotates the plate on top. the rotating plate reverses the brushes in relation to the field coil causing the motor to reverse. the extra contacts cause the headlights to alternate with direction. the extra lever at the end disconnects the reversing coil and forces the rocking lever to lift the slotted lever mechanically. These are tricky to get to reverse consistently, but the can work just be sure to let the motor get up to speed before cutting the power as it is the coasting action that actuates the reverse.

when rewiring just be sure the running direction will rotate the plate to the opposite lock.

These were used on the 3115, 3116 and 3117, when equipped with the reverse unit they are numbered 3185, 3186 & 3187.

Hope this helps

Roland

Last edited by rdigilio

Harry,

This engine is wired correctly and runs good. 

This engine runs good.  The only issue I found when running, is that I left too much wire on the ends of the wires at the end opposite the coil, so when the movable plate on the top cycled, it would short out after touching the ends of the wires.  Ran perfectly when trimmed.

The only thing missing from the engine, is a small draw bar that connects to a movable piece and goes through the end of the engine.  I am away from home this weekend and do not have photos of it.  Will have to shoot a photo and post on Tuesday after I get home. 

NWL

Chuck Sartor posted:

I have never seen a reverse mechanism like that before! I must be unique to the 3186. And from just looking at it, I can't figure how it functions. Would be interesting if it was mounted in the engine how it all worked. Not much help here,

That style engine is unique to 3185, 3186, and 3187 engines dating between 1928 and c. 1931.  In 1932 the 3187 engines came with the later style auto reverse and ringing bell mechanism.

Here is a photo that shows the rod that attaches to the engine and sticks out through the end of the body.  The rod shown is a piece of brass that I bent in the shape of an original, as this engine came without an original rod.  The original rods are threaded to receive a nut on the end (see picture of rod sticking through engine).

Rod is shown on right side of photo, hanging.

Here is a photo of rod sticking through body of the red 3187

The rods stick through the hole on the upper left of the engine.

NWL

 

Here are some more photos from different angles.

The two wires on the left go to the brushes.

There is a black wire that comes out of the motor, below the reverse mechanism, that attaches to the clip just above the wheel at the middle of the photo.

There is white wire that comes out of the motor, below the reverse mechanism, that attaches to the clip on the far right bottom.

There are two wires, one from the top of the coil and the other from the bottom of the coil, that attach to the clips on the far right.

There is a black wire that runs from the clip at the far right top, which goes to the clip at the top middle.

Not pictured, are the wires that go to the headlights, which attach to the clips next to the rotating plate on the bottom of this photo  

 

 

 

NWL

NWL,

     Excellent post / pictures. Thank you very much. We rewired, silver soldered some of the contacts etc., and it now runs like another swiss watch.  It is very gratifying to see something thru to it's conclusion w/ 100% success. I am sure the customer will be thrilled w/ the results.  Again, Thank you guys for all of your info.  Harry 

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