O22 Switch Problem

[Anonymous]

I have 6 Lionel O-22 switches in use. This is a new layout. The fixed voltage plug is hooked to my transformers's accessory output. The transformer has a variable 4-18 volt accessory output which the dealer told me he set at 14 v.

The track switches operate great. However, the lantern light on all the switches feels very hot to the touch. I am not sure if this is normal. Also, I only have used the layout about six hours and one of the bulbs in a switch controller burnt out and just a few minutes ago, one of the lantern bulbs burnt out.

Is the lantern being hot to the touch a normal condition? Also, is it normal to have two bulbs (from two different switches) burn out in such a short time?

The most recent bulb burnt out right after a derailment, for what it's worth.

All My Best

Steve
mowthelawn2

[Jim Duda]

Are your bulbs 18 volt in the switch motors and controllers?

[Anonymous]

Are your bulbs 18 volt in the switch motors and controllers?

Yes they are 18 volt bulbs

Steve

[lionelsoni]

It sounds like your voltage is substantially more than 14 volts. What kind of transformer is it?

[Big_Boy_4005]

If you have a volt meter check the output from the transformer, I agree it sounds higher than 14V.

[Anonymous]

It is a K Line Transformer Power Chief 120V transformer. The manual states that the accessory voltage is 4-18 volts. My VOM has dead batteries and new batteries cost more than a new VOM so I will pick up a new one and check the voltage. I will post hereb when that is done.

Thanks

Steve
mowthelawn2

[Big_Boy_4005]

The batteries should only be for the Ohm portion of the meter unless its a digital.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is a digital meter. Checked the voltage, it was at 14.5 volts, lowered it to exactly 14.03 volts. This afternoon, using 14.03 volts, another switch lantern bulb burnt out. I am stumped, the voltage is OK. I checked the track side, it is supposed to go up to 18 volts and it goes to about 17.87 which is OK. Any ideas why I am killing off a bulb about every other day. So far it has only affected the three switches closest to the transformer, one bulb in a controller and three bulbs in the lanterns. The bulbs all read 18 volts 1 amp.

Help,

Steve
mowthelawn2

[Big_Boy_4005]

Well at least its consistant, but that doesn't solve your problem. I'm wondering if "somehow", track voltage is getting to your bulbs, but I don't know how that would be happening.

You mentioned that this was a new layout, I'm guessing that the switches are new too.
Did you get them all at the same time, like they all came from the same batch?

Another possibility could be that its just a bad batch of bulbs, or that the bulbs were mismarked when they were made. If the bulbs were rated for 8V, instead of 18V, that would jibe well with what you have described, and result in a life that was bright, hot, and short. I'm guessing that they were made in China like the rest of the switch, and the Chineese are notorious for foul ups like that. If that turns out to be the case, maybe this story will "brighten" your day a little.

My ex wife once bought some regular 100W household type light bulbs, really cheap, that were made in China. Some would glow dimmly, others brightly, but rarely for long. When the burned out, often they would pop the circuit breaker. I've even had a couple explode, and it wasn't like she just bought one or two of these things, I still have some that I am giving serious thought to throwing away unused. [:D]

[lionelsoni]

Have you checked the voltage right at the lamp socket? If there is some sort of miswiring that is somehow getting the wrong voltage to the lamps, checking there would reveal it.

One ampere seems like a very high current for the sort of miniature lamps used with trains. They usually draw no more than a couple of hundreds of milliamperes.