Has anyone built a switch+switch machine tester to check old Atlas (or other) switches and their electric machine component BEFORE installing on a layout?
If so, would you post an image (or diagram) I could refer to?
As I lay track this summer, I want to check out my old switches while they are not installed yet.
Cedarwoodron
An old powerpack and a couple wires attached to the AC terminals. Don't really need a diagram !
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I haven't built one, but I would probably just add another toggle to my control panel with 3 wires coming off, terminated by clip leads. That way it would be testing them in the full environment, with the CD circuit and all. Even better, I could run trains around while doing it.
Or, take a pair of 9-volt batteries in series and put clip leads on that. That will give you 18 volts and plenty of power. Put a clip lead on one end for the center terminal, and use a bare wire for the other so you don't accidentally leave it connected.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Its a simple thing to do......... two accessory wires from a DC powerpack, one to the center terminal of the switch machine, the other to one of the two outer terminals. No big deal.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central