08-12-2016, 04:22 PM
OK Here goes vibrator 101.
A vibrator is a mechanical high speed switch. The two fat pins (pins 1 and 4) connect inside the vibrator to an electromagnet with a reed switch. These contacts cause the reed to vibrate making and breaking the voltage to the magnet. Like an old school buzzer.There are 3 set of contacts all total. The other two have 6vdc pulsating as the reed vibrates between them, this would be the two skinny pins (2and 3). They apply 6v to each half of the PT primary as it's humming along.
If the vibrator is buzzing then the reed and magnet are ok. The problem is the contacts connect to pins 2 and 3. when they are pitted ( like to points in your '38 chevy) it can't transfer the pulsing 6vdc the primary of the power transformer. No primary voltage then no secondary voltage!
You may be able to cut the case open (like restuffing a filter cap can) and file with a fine flie or use some fine grit sandpaper to remove and flatten out the surface of the contacts. Have seen some that where the contacts are just about burn off. In this case you'll need a replacement. As far as I know if you find a vibrator that says 6v on it and has 4 pins you should be in good shape to use it as a replacement. But what do I know????
As for the transistorize ones I heard mixed reviews. I'd stick with a mechanical one if possible. Back in the dark ages some tube testers had a tester for vibrators.
Keeping warm down there in Cumming? It's about 95 by95 here in Pa.
GL
A vibrator is a mechanical high speed switch. The two fat pins (pins 1 and 4) connect inside the vibrator to an electromagnet with a reed switch. These contacts cause the reed to vibrate making and breaking the voltage to the magnet. Like an old school buzzer.There are 3 set of contacts all total. The other two have 6vdc pulsating as the reed vibrates between them, this would be the two skinny pins (2and 3). They apply 6v to each half of the PT primary as it's humming along.
If the vibrator is buzzing then the reed and magnet are ok. The problem is the contacts connect to pins 2 and 3. when they are pitted ( like to points in your '38 chevy) it can't transfer the pulsing 6vdc the primary of the power transformer. No primary voltage then no secondary voltage!
You may be able to cut the case open (like restuffing a filter cap can) and file with a fine flie or use some fine grit sandpaper to remove and flatten out the surface of the contacts. Have seen some that where the contacts are just about burn off. In this case you'll need a replacement. As far as I know if you find a vibrator that says 6v on it and has 4 pins you should be in good shape to use it as a replacement. But what do I know????
As for the transistorize ones I heard mixed reviews. I'd stick with a mechanical one if possible. Back in the dark ages some tube testers had a tester for vibrators.
Keeping warm down there in Cumming? It's about 95 by95 here in Pa.
GL
When my pals were reading comic books
I was down in the basement in my dad's
workshop. Perusing his Sam's Photofoacts
Vol 1-50 admiring the old set and trying to
figure out what all those squiggly meant.
Circa 1966
Now I think I've got!
Terry
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