Continued blinking issues with the No. 154 Crossing Gate

[jwilharm]

I bought a used 154C contactor and have it connected to the track and the Crossing Gate.  The lights just stay on - neither of them blink. 

If you've encountered this problem before, please let me know.  

Also, I think the contactor may not be correctly installed.  Per these instructions and note the bold print below:

No. 154 Crossing Signal is connected directly to the track by means of the No. 154C Contactor. Attach the contactor to the track by pressing down the spring lever to raise the contact plate as shown in the inset of Figure 43; then place contactor under the track with clip "A'' gripping the flange of outside rail, snap spring clip "B" over the center rail, and release the spring lever.

I have the "B" clip actually clipped into the bottom of the middle track - it's impossible to put it "over" the center rail.  Am I doing this wrong? 

[trainbrain]

Call the LIonel Service Dept.  They should help you right over the phone.  The # should be on the box or instruction sheet.

[jakeoregano]

The contactor contects to the track like any other contactor, so the bold section is a little misleading. The contactor slips under the track, and the "B" section clips over the middle track - from below.

 I'm not 100% sure but I think your problem is the spring clip that rests on the top of the outside rail.  Check the underside of the spring clip.  It should have tape or insulation on it to keep it from contacting directly with the outside rail.  The way it is supposed to work is that the wheels of the train contacting the top of the clip complete the circuit to get the lights to work.  If there is no insulation on the bottom of the clip, it's in constant contact with the rail and therefore is completing the circuit - lights always on.

Hope this helps.

Jakeoregano (aka Dwayne)

[1688torpedo]

Hello JW!     The #154 Contactor Plate should be clipped onto your Track Just like a Regular CTC Lockon. Clip "B" does not go into the middle of the Center Rail at all. It goes under & over to the Opposite side of the center rail where it will stay clipped on your Track. So, To answer your question you've been doing it wrong all right!  Just lift Clip "A" so that it fits over the outside rail & Clip "B" exactly to the center rail as described above. If you have any other questions, let us know. Take Care.

[jakeoregano]

This is not the greatest pic in the world but I think you can see how the connector is supposed to snap onto the center rail from this shot:

 

Jakeoregano (aka Dwayne)

[jwilharm]

Thanks Keith - I totally understand your directions and tried them previously. However, when I affix the Clip B to the center rail in the "wrapped around" fashion that you described, Clip A does not fit firmly on the outside rail.  Clip A only fits firmly on the outside rail when Clip B is affixed by basically "shoving" it up into the center rail. 

By doing this, I actually have now gotten this to work and the lights to blink.  However, I'd like to affix the contactor correctly.  Maybe the used contactor I bought just stinks.  

[jwilharm]

Dwayne,

Your pic is is exactly the approach I tried!  However, when I affix the Clip B to the center rail in the "wrapped around" fashion that you described, Clip A does not fit firmly on the outside rail.  Clip A only fits firmly on the outside rail when Clip B is affixed by basically "shoving" it up into the center rail. 

Maybe my used contactor just stinks?  If it does, do you know where I can buy a good used 154C contactor online? 

[jakeoregano]

Sounds like you might have a bad connector after all.  You can try http://www.ttender.com for parts.  I checked and they have a repro listed on their sight - for $12.50.  I don't know if that is pricey or not, since I haven't purchased any.  The other option is that if there are any train shows coming up in your area anytime soon, you should be able to find plenty there.

Hope this helps.

Jakeoregano (aka Dwayne).

[trainbrain]

Maybe you should just use an insulated track piece instead of the contactor.  They really don't work all that well.  There's too much dependancy on the weight of the train and with some cars lighter than others, you can see where the adjustments will drive you coocalooloo.

[jakeoregano]

Maybe you should just use an insulated track piece instead of the contactor.  They really don't work all that well.  There's too much dependancy on the weight of the train and with some cars lighter than others, you can see where the adjustments will drive you coocalooloo.

Trainbrain: That's how I hooked up my crossing gate on my Christmas layout.  I made my own insulated track piece by putting some insulation between the outside rail at the ties (thin cardboard), and connected one lead to the outside rail from the gate, and the other to the common.   I placed this insulated track about 2 sections behind where the gate is, so the gate trips just before the train arrives at the intersection.  Works pretty well. 

Jakeoregano (aka Dwayne) 

 

[jwilharm]

Thanks Dwayne - is there a good place online that lists upcoming Train Shows?  I live in Chicago, but have no idea where Train Shows are listed. 

[kpolak]

http://www.trains.com/trc/community/events/

Here's the site link for events.

Go to the trains.com home page, and click on the classic toy trains box, and you will see a group of other links.

Kurt

[Chris F]

Thanks Dwayne - is there a good place online that lists upcoming Train Shows?  I live in Chicago, but have no idea where Train Shows are listed. 

If you're from Chicago, you shouldn't miss the Wheaton train show, held monthly at the DuPage County Fairgrounds - http://www.greatmidwesttrainshow.com/

Once you go, you'll really be hooked!