Is there any other way to test a vibrator to see if it’s working without actually running it? I don’t have a battery big enough to test with. I did touch two pins and it does have continuity in two of the pins but not the other two. ( I’m assuming that’s a good sign since according to what I’ve heard and kinda picking it out on the schematic that only pins normally should draw continuity) One of the other two is ground and I don’t know the purpose of the other one.
Arohn,
The only way to test any invertor is to make it invert.
I do not have the schematic handy... There is a circuit that can test most vibrators as well as cleaning the contacts. FWIR it uses a 120v 25 watt lamp and the AC line. The lamp acts as a ballast to keep the vibrator coil from burning up. If the contacts are burned away, coil open or contacts welded the lamp glows bright or is out. Correct operations is a someone dim bulb...
So basically a dim bulb tester?
You can take the guts out of the can - watch it work - clean and adjust the contacts.
Right, but I’m wondering if he’s suggesting I use a dim bulb tester on it (which sounds weird to me since the vibrator is DC and only 6.1 volts according to the schematic) or will a regular household battery be enough to test i to verify that it’s working as it should?
if it is a 6-volt vibrator with 4 pins, just touch a 9-volt battery to the 2 larger pins. if it vibrates, you'll feel and hear it hum. that said, some had transistors and are silent. and some can vibrate yet still not work correctly.
do you have a brand and/or part number? or know the application? how about some specs and/or a picture?
Most of these vibrators were inside of a rubber cover - inside of the can. This was to dampen noise. Now the rubber is breaking down adding to the contamination on the contacts.