Trouble with switch machines

[cp1057]

Hi folks, I'm having trouble with a Peco switch machine and a Peco turnout.

The turnout flicks back and forth with no mechanical snags. The switch machine works before installation. Now that I have installed the switch machine on the bottom of the turnout following the instruction sheet, the switch machine only works in 1 direction, it buzzes but no motion. I have disassembled the unit, checked both the turnout and the switch machine separately and reasssembled them. Same problem! [:(!] Arrgg!!

I hope I'm not stuck with a dud switch machine as the hobby store is some distance away and not worth driving to just for 1 item.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[cp1057]

Hi folks, I'm having trouble with a Peco switch machine and a Peco turnout.

The turnout flicks back and forth with no mechanical snags. The switch machine works before installation. Now that I have installed the switch machine on the bottom of the turnout following the instruction sheet, the switch machine only works in 1 direction, it buzzes but no motion. I have disassembled the unit, checked both the turnout and the switch machine separately and reasssembled them. Same problem! [:(!] Arrgg!!

I hope I'm not stuck with a dud switch machine as the hobby store is some distance away and not worth driving to just for 1 item.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[Anonymous]

Check these threads:
Peco Switches johncosta 03 Feb 2003 - 01:32 PM
Peco Switch Machines Goldbug 24 Jan 2003 - 07:48 AM

Did you slacken the throwbar spring a bit to reduce tension? is your voltage/current source sufficient? If not you could try a capacitive discharge unit.

[Anonymous]

Check these threads:
Peco Switches johncosta 03 Feb 2003 - 01:32 PM
Peco Switch Machines Goldbug 24 Jan 2003 - 07:48 AM

Did you slacken the throwbar spring a bit to reduce tension? is your voltage/current source sufficient? If not you could try a capacitive discharge unit.

[cp1057]

Hi Glen,

Could you elaborate on slackening the throwbar spring? I think I know what you're getting at. The spring-loaded action of the Peco turnouts are nice for manual operation but may be too much of a load for the switch machine. How would you go about slackening the spring?

The source I am using to test will fire other switch machine/turnouts on my current layout. I'm in the process of rebuilding my layout.

Thanks for the advice!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[cp1057]

Hi Glen,

Could you elaborate on slackening the throwbar spring? I think I know what you're getting at. The spring-loaded action of the Peco turnouts are nice for manual operation but may be too much of a load for the switch machine. How would you go about slackening the spring?

The source I am using to test will fire other switch machine/turnouts on my current layout. I'm in the process of rebuilding my layout.

Thanks for the advice!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[Anonymous]

Very carefully! Before trying this, make sure it isn't the machine after all by swapping it onto another turnout If it drives that one ok, then spring tension is probably the problem. Swap a known good machine onto the problem turnout to be sure it isn't a wiring problem or excess voltage drop. Check if the turnout feels stiffer when throwing it by hand. The relevant posts are below from the threads i mentioned earlier, do an archive search for 'peco machine' for the original postings.

You didn't mention whether HO or N scale; with N it should be possible to reach in with needle nose pliers and squeeze the bent portion very gently, a bit at a time, without having to disassemble the turnout entirely (which could be a little difficult if it is already ballasted). last time i took one totally apart could never get the spring to work right again, messed up the little hole the spring goes in. Don't know abiout the HO turnouts, maybe the gents below will see this and elaborate.



WEUSANDCORR RE: Peco Switches
Posted: 31 Jan 2003, 03:52:16 AM Quote
Location: AUSTRALIA You can back the spring tension off by pushing the metal clip back and they still work reliable,also check that the contacts under the switch blades is not to tight . These tabs will also stop point from throwing they just need to slip under rails to give elect contact
les


WEUSANDCORR RE: Peco Switch Machines
Posted: 24 Jan 2003, 03:03:48 AM Quote
Location: AUSTRALIA Hi If you are using Peco switches with the Peco motors back the spring tension off a bit on the throw bar helps motors and cuts down on the noise abit
Les


robmik RE: RE: Peco Switch Machines
Posted: 24 Jan 2003, 07:48:02 AM Quote
Location: Canada You're right, Les.
When I still used power turnouts,I've had them where a new Peco motor wouldn't even throw a new switch at the workbench, even at 16 volts.Had to reduce tension.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

Very carefully! Before trying this, make sure it isn't the machine after all by swapping it onto another turnout If it drives that one ok, then spring tension is probably the problem. Swap a known good machine onto the problem turnout to be sure it isn't a wiring problem or excess voltage drop. Check if the turnout feels stiffer when throwing it by hand. The relevant posts are below from the threads i mentioned earlier, do an archive search for 'peco machine' for the original postings.

You didn't mention whether HO or N scale; with N it should be possible to reach in with needle nose pliers and squeeze the bent portion very gently, a bit at a time, without having to disassemble the turnout entirely (which could be a little difficult if it is already ballasted). last time i took one totally apart could never get the spring to work right again, messed up the little hole the spring goes in. Don't know abiout the HO turnouts, maybe the gents below will see this and elaborate.



WEUSANDCORR RE: Peco Switches
Posted: 31 Jan 2003, 03:52:16 AM Quote
Location: AUSTRALIA You can back the spring tension off by pushing the metal clip back and they still work reliable,also check that the contacts under the switch blades is not to tight . These tabs will also stop point from throwing they just need to slip under rails to give elect contact
les


WEUSANDCORR RE: Peco Switch Machines
Posted: 24 Jan 2003, 03:03:48 AM Quote
Location: AUSTRALIA Hi If you are using Peco switches with the Peco motors back the spring tension off a bit on the throw bar helps motors and cuts down on the noise abit
Les


robmik RE: RE: Peco Switch Machines
Posted: 24 Jan 2003, 07:48:02 AM Quote
Location: Canada You're right, Les.
When I still used power turnouts,I've had them where a new Peco motor wouldn't even throw a new switch at the workbench, even at 16 volts.Had to reduce tension.
regards / Mike

[cp1057]

Hi Glen

Thanks for digging up the postings from the old forum and including them in your message. I wasn't able to find them for some reason.

With this info I should be able to get somewhere. By the way the turnout in question is HO scale and I do have a couple of old turnouts I can experiment with. Fortunately I mounted the switch machine and tested it before installing it on the layout, my paranoia was finally good for something. Normally I just use hand-thrown turnouts but this turnout will be used for staging tracks. Accessibility will not be a problem, its just that the staging tracks wont be reachable from where I'm going to stand to operate.

Thank you very much for the info!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[cp1057]

Hi Glen

Thanks for digging up the postings from the old forum and including them in your message. I wasn't able to find them for some reason.

With this info I should be able to get somewhere. By the way the turnout in question is HO scale and I do have a couple of old turnouts I can experiment with. Fortunately I mounted the switch machine and tested it before installing it on the layout, my paranoia was finally good for something. Normally I just use hand-thrown turnouts but this turnout will be used for staging tracks. Accessibility will not be a problem, its just that the staging tracks wont be reachable from where I'm going to stand to operate.

Thank you very much for the info!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem with PECO switch machines. When someone says to slacken the throwbar spring. Is the spring part of the track turnout or part of the switch motor? Is the capacitive discharge unit the best answer to get it working?

Thanks. Walt

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem with PECO switch machines. When someone says to slacken the throwbar spring. Is the spring part of the track turnout or part of the switch motor? Is the capacitive discharge unit the best answer to get it working?

Thanks. Walt

[cacole]

Another thing to check is to insure that the turnout is centered over the hole that the rod comes up through. If the rod is against one side of the hole it can't move in but one direction. I have completely removed the spring from my Peco HO-scale turnouts so they could be used with a stall motor (SwitchMaster or Tortoise) switch machine. If you are using the Peco switch machine motor, however, it should have enough torque to move the points without having to remove the spring, so you may not have the turnout properly centered over the hole, or the hole for the operating rod may need to be enlarged.

[cacole]

Another thing to check is to insure that the turnout is centered over the hole that the rod comes up through. If the rod is against one side of the hole it can't move in but one direction. I have completely removed the spring from my Peco HO-scale turnouts so they could be used with a stall motor (SwitchMaster or Tortoise) switch machine. If you are using the Peco switch machine motor, however, it should have enough torque to move the points without having to remove the spring, so you may not have the turnout properly centered over the hole, or the hole for the operating rod may need to be enlarged.

[BR60103]

Walt: the spring is in the turnout right at the throwbar, on the side away from the frog.
Peco make a few mounting blocks for the switch machne, based on a table top unit. Thes also have a spring, and two springs is usually too many, so I take the one out of the mounting block.

[BR60103]

Walt: the spring is in the turnout right at the throwbar, on the side away from the frog.
Peco make a few mounting blocks for the switch machne, based on a table top unit. Thes also have a spring, and two springs is usually too many, so I take the one out of the mounting block.

[cwclark]

the reasons i use mark 3 atlas turnouts.....note all of the above

[cwclark]

the reasons i use mark 3 atlas turnouts.....note all of the above