spikejones52002 I would like to have the connections you have. I have complained about the shorting problem to Aristo until I was Blue in the face. I had a problem with their new Live steam engine. I got one of the first on the market. It had a boiler leak. It cost me $50.00 to return it for repairs.
I would like to have the connections you have. I have complained about the shorting problem to Aristo until I was Blue in the face.
I had a problem with their new Live steam engine. I got one of the first on the market. It had a boiler leak. It cost me $50.00 to return it for repairs.
Well all I can maybe guess at this point in time, is that the economy and the GOOD OL'American corporate greed factor may have taken over......I had never had any problems getting through to them in times past.....But now everyone is installing those ignor you answering systems and that may well be what they too, have done.....From what you are all indicating here now......So I'll maybe try and contact someone there next week myself, and just check the situation out and see if it's really as bad as you all are saying it is now.......
Byron
Correct me if I am wrong everybody.......Aristo track now carries a life-time Guarantee, I do believe.....
Anyway..... I have always been given the Micro switches and connected wiring for free from Aristo, when ever I requested one, for the shorting problem. I had two short out so bad, they melted every tie where the screws connected to the track rails, sent'em back and was sent two complete brand new switches.....I mean... the whole complete #6 switch tracks, not just the little Micro switches.... Brand spank'en new ones, they even payed all the shipping charges.
Just Call them, and ask in advance for a pick-up ticket to be sent to ya, and they will send ya a UPS sticker, just pack-it up and put the sticker they provide on it and call UPS ta pick it up right at yer place, they pay for all the shipping too.....Now, mind ya though.... it pays ta have a few extra switches on hand, just in case....... so's yer line won't have ta be down during the WAIT-TIME.
I got about 14 er 15 of 'em in my line right now, plus another 8 ta 10 for future expansion projects, an a couple'a #6 Y's also.
Spike, the ones you refer to as 10 foot don't have the micro switches! Only the #6 switches have them, they are the ones that are 3 feet long.
yes My Aristo SD - 45 and RS's and others. The problem is that Aristo switches are made with a large gap at the frog. The rail wipes drop down into the gap and short between the rails. By eliminating the rail wipers I do not have the problem. The micro switch Aristo is now installing corrects the problem also. My switches are before Aristo installed the electrical switches.
Spike, are you using two power source's? If so you may need to check out your wiring. If you are running one power source and your loops are directional, one east,one west and you are only using one pair of leads to feed both tracks then you have a wiring problem. Do any other brands of engines have the same problems. I use Aristo, USAT, and B-Mann and all have there own querks.
Dave
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
Right now I have a double 10 ft Dia. loop around my ceiling. I have two interchange tracks with 10 ft Dia. switches.
Every engine I attempt to change loops short out. Continue movement on the same loop with my MTH engines with the rail wiper also short when I go against the switch, Both straight and crossing over.
Removing the wipers corrected that problem.
Spike If you post a track diagram it would help to determine what your problem is. Did you add anything to your layout or do you have Reverse loop's? I had one that I insulated both the turn and the end, leaving the point's control the switch power. BTW the #6 switch is the one you are using with your 20ft dia. and are the only one's with the MICROSWITCH. are your switchs new or old
Dave ( working on my own power glitch's )
I do not Know what # aristo Switch. Most of my switches are 10ft diam. The others are 20ft diam. The micro switch should be on all their switches. All my switches have a shorting out problem.
Problem I will have to pay to correct their problems.
The original Aristo-Craft Micro Switch for the #6 switch can be bought at Radio Shack (same brand). OR, you can buy a new, waterproof replacement Micro Switch direct from Aristo-Craft.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
The pin is the corroded bluish thing right above the number 4
The microswitch is the rectangular thing to the right of the number 3 with the corroded wires coonected to it...
Regards, Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
Spike, how many are #6 switches??? there is a pin on the bottom of the moveable track which contacts a push lever mounted underneath, that little push lever on a 1/2 X 3/8 or so box. that box is the microswitch.
Where are Micro-switches on Aristo switches??????????????
I have several dozen aristo switches and none have micro switches.
Sounds like the FUBAR from
Tom Trigg
YEA! I found the problem was the with the micro switch.Plus when I was doing the trouble shooting. I accedently got one set of leads crossed. Which made the problem worse. SO, I fired my electrician. But then I had to rehire myself. Thanks for the input. Tom R.
What size switches are they? if it's the number six switches then it is probably the microswitch they use to control polarity to the frog. Aristo sells a replacement. You can also just leave the frog electrically dead is your locos are long enough
Hi: Yes the problem came up out of the blue.I don't really have a control panel.Its just a power supply in a small tool box. the only control is my hand held remote. pretty simple. It is a aristo switching power supply. I guess it could have a bad diod or something? thanks for the reply. Tom r.
Have you done any digging (weeding with sharp knife) that might have clipped the buried wires causing the short? From reading your post, am I correct in saying that it is happening to all your turnouts? If so did it happen all at once to them all? If it is happening to several all at once, I would look to the “control panel”.
I'm having electrical problems with my aristo switches causing shorts were they should not. Checked polarity, diodes, all connections are good. Any thoughts? tom r.
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