Has anyone tried using Atlas Conducta Lube on turnout points to improve conductivity? I have been having trouble with a couple of Peco n scale turnouts making poor contact at the points. I clean the points with alcohol which works for awhile. Rather than rewire the turnout, I thought about using a microbrush and tabbing a very small amount of Conducta Lube on the points. Has anyone tried this? Thanks
Yes, in HO. However, putting it directly on turnout points is not always the best solution as it can make operation temporarily erratic.
I routinely use it on my track. A little bit, spread over a couple inches of rail, helps to clean my 81 linear foot mainline.
I often apply a little bit to the rails each time I run. It's better than just putting it on turnout points.
To "clean" my track, I make a quick pass with a paper towel maybe once a month.
If loco wheels get dirty, I put the conductalube (different brands) directly on the wheels and then run it, and they clean right off.
Avoid putting Conductalube or other brands directly on any brass/bronze wiper power pickups that ride against the wheel. That makes for temporary poor operation. I tried it with an Overland Models brass diesel a couple weeks ago. Some of them have little wipers that ride against the back of the wheel. I had to clean off excess Conductalube with a Q-tip for it to run correctly. Then it was fine.
Check the turnouts for any dirt deposits right where the rails touch the main.
The conductive lubricants evaporate; that is why I re-apply. It helps to prevent crud build-up on freight car wheels too--even on metal wheels. Some smoke fluid manufacturers say you can use it too, though in my experience, the smoke fluid is slower to evaporate than conductive lubricants, but it can also be used.
John Mock