Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

People don't advertise re:charging magnets so much ...But , usually a generator/alternator shop can do it. Put an request on Facebook in your area and I'll bet you find help locally. Be careful not to over charge it or the engine won't be able to power it.

Very nice

If you have a local starter/generator shop, they probably have a magnet charger collecting dust somewhere. The older the shop, the better the chance.
Crazydoug

Okay, got the recommended Magnet to try this out (but I am still on the fence about pulling the generator apart).  I might leave it to my brother to F'up, especially if the other little magnets that ordered and place on the side work like I'd like them to!

All magnets have a saturation point, meaning they can only be magnetized so much, so I don't think you'd "over-magnetize" the magnet. From the pictures, it looks like the Alnico ends are about 1" long x 3/8" wide. You could try placing a BX066 or BX088-N52, one on either end, with opposite poles onto the horseshoe.

• Dimensions: 1" x 1/2" x 1/2" thick
• Tolerances: ±0.004" x ±0.004" x ±0.004"
• Material: NdFeB, Grade N52
• Plating/Coating: Ni-Cu-Ni (Nickel)
• Magnetization Direction: Thru Thickness
• Weight: 1.08 oz. (30.7 g)
• Pull Force, Case 1: 38.39 lbs
• Pull Force, Case 2: 50.09 lbs
• Surface Field: 5884 Gauss
• Max Operating Temp: 176ºF (80ºC)
• Brmax: 14,800 Gauss
• BHmax: 52 MGOe

These sturdy blocks are very strong for their size and must be handled with care to avoid being pinched between two of them. This size is useful for a wide range of magnetic applications.

I got my K&J Magnets in and two D88-N52's work the best when sticking them on the horseshoe magnet.  These are 18.08 lbs pull force and provide ~1.3 volts A/C under load with the light.  If I unscrew the light voltage jumps up a bit over 2v A/C.  I haven't even tried disassembling the magnet, which I'll leave to my bother to try with the BX088-N52 magnets.

I also got my parts box from Jensen.  The boiler gaskets were more or less not very useful.  I had to modify the ones for sight tank, as the center hole was too small.  Then the steam line to the engine gasket for the tank either wasn't included or none would fit - so I had to revert to making a new one out of paper.  I suppose at least the ones for the whistle and pressure popup valve worked.

Hey Mike - thank you!  It is pretty amazing seeing it work again.  I couldn't have done it with all y'all's help, today your package is arriving for the cherry on top finish :-)

Do keep us posted on your magnet charging and any challenges getting it apart/back together!  BTW, is that one of yours lighting up the light bulb at all?   As a reminder, this guy I have here won't even make the light bulb flicker without added magnets (DMV reads no more than .5v A/C).

Got your package in Mike - Thank You!  

Bad news is that bottom tank fitting didn't have any screw bite left in it... it is stripped out.  I trimmed down a Q-Tip and stuck it in the hole and the new screw tighten down and sealed.  Perhaps it will hold or perhaps it won't over time.

Here is a photo with your smoke stack on.  I'll let my brother come up with some matching paint to paint it.

Thanks Bruce!  I couldn't have done it without you help - I am still in awe with all the help I have gotten here on the forums!