DJB whistle trouble

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Keith S
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DJB whistle trouble

Post by Keith S » Fri Jun 07, 2019 4:49 am

I have been having trouble with the DJB whistle on my RH "Billy". It seems as though I may have stuffed it up somehow, but I don't know how or why. When I steam up the engine, it does not whistle; it just snorts and blows a lot of steam. If I fiddle with the little bowl-shaped thingy, which slides up and down, I can usually "tune" it so it will whistle. Sometimes I have to loosen the tiny screw on the top part and fiddle with that too. Again, usually I can get it to whistle. But then, when I put the loco away for a while, the next time I steam it up the whistle has somehow gone out of tune again and just farts and snorts until I tinker with it again. It's annoying. Of course while I tinker with it, the engine gets impatient and blasts me with its safety-valve.. I am sure it's not supposed to be this annoying. I think I've buggered up the whistle somehow... like maybe the slidey bowl-shaped bit at the bottom wasn't supposed to be adjusteable? Maybe Mr. Bailey tuned it before sending it and I've somehow loosened it or bent it? Does anyone else have this issue?

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tom_tom_go
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:53 am

It shouldn't need to be adjusted everytime you use it.

Put some Loctite on the screw so it secures the top half of the whistle.

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pandsrowe
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by pandsrowe » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:03 am

You say that you are putting the loco away for a while, could it be that limescale is building up and throwing the whistle out of tune?
Just a thought.
Phil

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Keith S
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by Keith S » Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:24 pm

Could be? I only use water from the dehumidifier, though. I could put loctite on the screw that secures the top half, but is the bottom half supposed to be able to slide up and down? That's the bit I feel is not working correctly.

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tom_tom_go
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Jun 07, 2019 3:08 pm

During use the whistle should not move at all.

I would take it apart and clean it.

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Keith S
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by Keith S » Fri Jun 07, 2019 4:57 pm

Good idea. Maybe there's a flake or chip of something lodged in it. I wish I hadn't binned the instructions that came with it. Don't happen to still have yours, do you?

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tom_tom_go
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:21 pm

I am sure Paul can email you the instructions, however, it is a very simple device you just undo the screw and it will slide off once you pull it out of the resonator chamber.

Don't be afraid, I am not Mr Practical and I manage!

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Keith S
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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by Keith S » Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:11 pm

:D I've seen you silver-solder, so must be reasonably good at handy things. I will remove and clean the whistle. I'm just concerned that the little cup-shaped lower part was supposed to be fixed in position. On mine, it can slide up and down, changing the gap between itself and the upper bit. But I will disassemble and investigate, take pictures and let you know how I get on.

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Re: DJB whistle trouble

Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:23 pm

It is meant to slide up and down, that's how you adjust the sound.

I have the same whistle setup as you so any issues let me know.

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