Jeff Wisnia wrote:

Well, when I got home tonight the first thing I did was take a high
energy magnet and move it toward the radiometer, which was in dim light
and not turning.

The magnet had no effect on the vane assembly, it didn't tilt, wiggle or
twitch even when the magnet was right against the glass bulb.

So much for my thinking it was magnetism causing the metal X piece of
the hub to stick to the needle.

Looking at the hub assembly under magnification, the metal X piece looks
like it's likely made of aluminum.

But, the "sticking" effect was still there, With the rotor well centered
on the needle, if I tilt the bulb slightly so the hole in the metal X
piece stars moving off center with respect to the needle it soon reaches
a point where the rotor will suddenly "jump" the rest of the way so the
hole in the X piece hits the needle with an audible click and sticks
there even when I return the unit to an upright position. I have to
jiggle it until the rotor ends up centered asgain.

I'm thinking now it's probably an electrostatic effect, but I don't know
what may have happened to make it to start happening now. I'm pretty
sure It didn't do that a dozen or so years ago when it was new.

I tried wiping the outside of the bulb with some antistatic fluid we use
on the glass of our photocopier, but that didn't help.

I guess nothing lasts forever.....

Jeff


Hey! Has anyone suggested that it may be a result of "deforming" the
tip of the needle or the bearing that rests on it???? Some sort of a
"ring" worn in the bearing or some "unspecified" deformation of the
needle.
Some more examination please.
...lew...