i have an n scale layout that ive been working on for some time now. i use code 80 and my turnouts have both a manual throw and wires for machine switching. well it came time to hook up the throw switches under the layout, and they are not working. they hum and buzz and even move the switch a little, but thats it. anyone else had this problem? any suggestions? i invested a lot of money in the machine operated switches and would like to think it wasnt just a waste. PLEASE HELP!!!
What manufacturer are the turnouts? That will help to answer your question.
Bill
Sounds like you may not have enough voltage -- or one or more of the coils may be burned out.
Atlas switch machines are solenoids that are designed to receive momentary voltage only -- too long and they will burn out. At the same time, if your wires are too small or the voltage you are using is too low, they won't throw.
To help folks help you, tell us what you are using for a power supply, wire, and electrical switches.
In some cases, folks use a Capacitor Discharge Unit (CDU) to provide the high voltage/low current/momentary contact needed to move stubborn switch machines. One example is the Circuitron Snapper:http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/ctn/ctn5303.htm
But you can probably get things to work without the CDU if wired correctly.
Good luck.
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the turnout throws and switch machines are all from atlas. they came with the turnouts when i purchased them. i originally tapped into my power bus on my digitrax dcc via suitcase connectors. should i maybe use a seperate power supply? i could look into stationary decoders for the turnouts, but unfortunately when i started, i was a beginner and these are not "under the table" style turnouts. i smelled the swich machines to see if i burned them up, but there was no oder. you have already confirmed some of my suspicions, but any further advice would be very appreciated.
irishRRthe turnout throws and switch machines are all from atlas. they came with the turnouts when i purchased them. i originally tapped into my power bus on my digitrax dcc via suitcase connectors.
Bad idea.
irishRRshould i maybe use a seperate power supply?
Yes. That would be the simplest.
irishRRi could look into stationary decoders for the turnouts, but unfortunately when i started, i was a beginner and these are not "under the table" style turnouts.
If you want to go that way, you can.
Atlas switches are solenoid type switches as mentioned by Cuyama and use a momentary type switch that should have came with the turnout. However, the solenoid in the switch will burn out easily. I know from experience it doesn’t take much to fry one. You will not smell anything when they go, just the element burns out and then the switch will not work remotely. It should work manually even if the solenoid burns out unless the switch melts, which I had happen, then the only remedy is to replace either the solenoid / remote section or buy another type of switch machine to throw the turnout. I ended up buying Tortoise switch machines that mount under the table. They are much more reliable and do not burn out.
I may be a little late on this post but I was searching for other information when I came across it. I model in N-Scale as well.
I had problems burning up Atlas switch machines back in the the 70's. I discovered then it was the little lever things that came with the switch. they had a spring like mechanism that was supposed to keep it away from the power connections when you had thrown the switch. If it broke they would not disconect from the power and the result was the machine soloniod burning up. Today atlas includes a push button type switch that has a spring in it that keeps it away from the power connection when not in use. You may notice that there is a push button effect to those switches when you use them and you have to apply a little pressure to throw the swicth after you slide it to one side or the other.
For powering my switches that are not on stationary decoders I have a MRC Tech2 DC power supply that I use the AC output to power those switches. Probably any DC power supply with an AC output would do. Currently about half of my switches are powered this way. All the others are wired with stationary decoders that are powered with the track bus. I use a Digitrax DCC system and Digitrax stationary decoders for those. Make sure you get the decoders that work for solinoid machines. I forget the part number but they work for Atlas 3 wire and the Kato 2 wire switches. I use both.
I have discovered that this mix of both works. It is sometimes much easier to push a button on the side of the layout than to find the right number switch on the DCC controler. Especially if you are switching in a yard with lots of movement.
Hope this helps.
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.
It is either a voltage issue or a shortage in the coil. Check the connections and wires inside the switch.