Questions/Issues with 1122 Switches

[Biker2679]

Thanks to Walt, Bob and numerous other great postings on this forum, I was able to successfully modify three of my four 1122/1122E switches to use accessory power. However, I am running into an issue with the 4th switch. Despite numerous attempts, the switch will only throw in one direction. When I attempt to switch it to the other direction, it does nothing- no noise, nothing. I can switch it back manually, and it will throw just fine. Any suggestions on troubleshooting? I am fairly certain I have a good solder connection- I've resoldered multiple times. Ironically, this was the last switch I did, and the others worked fine. The switch worked fine prior to modification. 

Separately, now that I am running the switches via accessory power, I'm running into an issue with the ground on these switches. Originally, I thought that these would be grounded through the track. However, on both my transformers (a postwar TW and a new Z-1000), the accessory power has a separate ground from the track ground. When I go to throw the switches, they throw fine, but it makes the lights on the train blink, as if there is power going to the track briefly. 

Does this mean I need to run a separate ground bus wire from the transformer and connect it to each of the posts closest to the switch box on the switch? Is there another way to do it? On both transformers, there is a separate accessory ground. On the TW, I have the track powered from posts C and U on the transformer, and accessories powered from posts E and F. On the Z-1000, there are red and black posts on the controller itself, and then the power brick has separate hot and common posts for the accessory power.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[lionelsoni]

I think you have two separate problems:

When operating accessories with control rails, the power supplies must share a common connection to the outside rails, which we can consider to be the layout common.  This includes turnouts like yours with the anti-derailing feature, whether operated the track voltage or from a separate accessory supply.  When you use the track supply, the common connection is assured, because there is only the one supply.  With the TW, the common connection is enforced by the internal wiring of the transformer as the A terminal(s), which you will have to connect to your outside rails.  Then use the D terminal for a 14-volt accessory supply rather than E-F.  Here is a link to the TW schematic:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr/pstw54a.pdf

I don't know anything about the Z-1000 or "power bricks"; but the principle is the same--the track and accessory supplies should share a single common connection, whether inside the transformer box or connected outside the box.

When you get the accessory voltage working, use a voltmeter to measure the open-circuit voltage relative to the layout common at each turnout's control terminals (the terminals that would go to the controllers).  The voltmeter should show the same voltage as the supply that you have connected to the coils.  If not, there must be an open connection somewhere between the turnout's control terminal and the accessory supply, which you will have to find.  Good luck.

By the way, are you intending to connect an AC accessory voltage directly to the turnouts?  Or are you using the capacitive discharge circuit that I have recommended?  Or something else?

[Biker2679]

Bob,

Thanks for the reply. You are correct- I had the connections backwards. I fixed them per your post, and the issue with the switches triggering the train has gone away. That said, the trains do spark quite a bit transiting the switch- is that normal? To answer one of your questions, I am running the accessory voltage directly to the turnouts. Despite having read the capacitive discharge circuit instructions multiple times, that is way beyond my skill level.

I was at the store last night and picked up another 1122 switch for $5, so I am not going to worry about troubleshooting the non-working switch at the moment.

Thanks again.

 

[phillyreading]

I have a question about the 1122 switches as well. Would leaving a passenger car or freight car parked on the switch for a long time cause any issues with the 1122 switch? 

[ADCX Rob]

It very well could, with them connected to a constant voltage / fixed output source. There are extra steps you can take to address this issue, presented primarily by Bob Nelson - lionelsoni - that are well documented in this forum throughout the years if you are interested... HERE.

 

[phillyreading]

So basicly, don't leave anything on the switch, correct? FYI; I have the ones that get power from the track or factory set-up.

[ADCX Rob]

Pretty much, w/o the extra work.

[lionelsoni]

A few comments:

The greater danger exists when using a constant accessory voltage to power the turnout, because any rolling stock standing on the turnout will overheat a coil and damage it.

However, even when the turnouts are not modified for accessory voltage, you can still overheat a coil from the track voltage.  This can happen, for example, if you leave on the turnout a car that is not part of a train running elsewhere, or if you stop a train over the turnout with the locomotive in neutral, perhaps to keep the lights on.

Separate power from a capacitive discharge is a simple way to avoid all such dangers.  It's really quite simple, once you've gotten the coils rewired for accessory power--just a 5000-microfarad capacitor and a number-53 lamp per turnout.

If you do overheat a coil and the plastic coil form hasn't completely melted, you may be able to recondition it simply by running through the middle of the form a drill slightly larger than the armature.  (Don't ask how I know this.)