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cleaning electrical on Peco turnout

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  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 11 posts
Posted by african king on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:44 AM

 

try using cotton buds (on small plastic tubes, as used for cleaning out your ears) and a solvent such as white spirit, peco plastic will stand up okay.
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Saturday, July 3, 2010 1:07 PM

In the future, remember to coat the contact surfaces with some crc or oil to keep paint/glue from adhering the the surface.  

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Detroit area, Mi., U.S.A.
  • 167 posts
Posted by Billba on Saturday, July 3, 2010 1:02 PM

Rob,

  If you want to get a good electrical contact, a burnishing tool, or welding tip cleaners may also help.   You will want to be careful, but if you can't get things clean with a cleaning solution, these may work well.  The burnishing tool is a small flat piece of metal with a very fine abrasive on it.  They are available from Stanley's website for less than $3.00.  The welding tip cleaners are very fine wires with an abrasive on them.  The last set of welding tip cleaners I picked up was from Harbor Freight two or three years ago.  they were less than $5.00.

 The most important part is to be very gentle with whatever method you use so that you don't turn your switch / turnout into a pretzel.  Don't ask me how I know that!!

 Good luck, and have a happy Independence Day.

Bill. Quote: "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers. Motto: "It's never to late to have another happy childhood"
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Saturday, July 3, 2010 11:33 AM

 Rob

  Been there done that. I tipped over the bottle of ballast cement on a Peco one time. Filled the whole point area with the mixture that glued the points solid.

 Under the points on the Pecos there are little contacts that hit the bottom of the points when thrown. A small stiff bristled paint brush with some rubbing alcohol should clean them up with a little elbow grease. I also scrape the back of the points and inside of the stock rails with a #11 blade.

    Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Pasadena
  • 58 posts
cleaning electrical on Peco turnout
Posted by Rob_C on Saturday, July 3, 2010 10:47 AM

Okay I goofed a little.  Got some paint and other scenery plaster on the inside of the curved turnout and it now sporadically makes contact when the switch is thrown.  I cleaned it with a bright boy, but you can only put so much pressure on it without bending the fragile thin rail.  What's the best way to ensure contact?

 

Rob

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