PECO SWITCH MACHINES

[snowey]

is it nessecary to insulate the soldering lugs on these, when you solder a wire onto them?[?]

[Anonymous]

Not sure what you mean by insulate - do you mean as in clipping on a heatsink? I just crimp the wires in place then add some solder to make it stronger, have never had any problems. If you crimp the wires, then just heat the terminal while holding the solder against the top, it will be drawn in by capillary action and give you an excellent joint. Hope this helps!

[MichaelWD]

I just installed 2 of these switch machines. I found out that my power pack does not have enough juice to poiwer them. Someone told me a "snapper" capacitor discharge system will work. Is this true or am I wasting my money on it.
Thanks Mike Dickinson

[NZRMac]

I use a capacitor discharge unit it saves the coil from a burnout. You only need one for the whole layout.

Ken.

[MichaelWD]

In the instructions it suggest to use 16v as a power supply . Will the snapper be able to handle this. how will 16v effect the Atlas switch machines that are on the rest of the layout
Thanks Mike Dickinson

[rrinker]

The Snapper or a circuit like it will be perfectly fine. The operation of your Atlas switches will also improve. Put the CD supply between your power pack and ALL twin coil turnout controls, Atlas and Peco. Do NOT connect Tortoise switch motors to such a supply.
I have a capacitor discharge supply I built many years ago when i was in N scale (HO now), and N scale switch motors (Atlas) are MUCH more delicate than HO ones. Once I installed the CD supply, I never gain had a coil burn out, and the switches threw each and every time. Plus the building lights, run off the same power pack (different one controlled my trains) didn't dim when I threw a switch like they did before.

--Randy

[MichaelWD]

Thanks for the information. I was worried that the CD would not work for both types of switch machines
Mike Dickinson

[johnd]

I have soldered wire to HO railjoiners and fit the railjoiner onto the Peco motor.
No soldering on the pricey Peco motor. Seems to work fine.

[Bennekers]

In my experience PECO switch machines are indestructible. I abused them badly, they got wet, then corroded. I am not good at soldering either, but they still work.

[Seamonster]

I have to agree with Bennekers that Peco switch machines are indestructible. Our basement got flooded years ago and a bunch of model RR stuff that I had stored near the floor went for a swim (along with a heck of a lot of other stuff!). The Peco switch machines have rust on them but they still work. They may be big and clunky but that's what makes them industructible and dependable. I solder 3 wires to them, about 2-3" long and attach a terminal strip to their ends. That becomes a permanent part of the switch machine and I attach the layout wiring to the terminal strip.
...Bob

[Bennekers]

Bob,

What kind of terminal strip?

[Seamonster]

I use a 3-lug solder terminal strip. One of the terminals is extended out to form a mounting lug. Since I'm screwing them into wood, that doesn't matter. I also use them to terminate the track feed wires coming down through the layout. I bought a bag of them somewhere a long time ago. I haven't been able to find that kind anywhere lately, so I'm not sure what I'll do when I run out. Could use screw type strips, but that's *much* more expensive. R.S. and others sell "European" type screw strips which can be cut apart into shorter lengths.
...Bob