Hi John
Get the capictor discharge unit, and you are worry free. Mine delivers 30V for a split second and then won't repower untill the slide switch is released.
Enjoy
Lee
Guys, thanks for the advice! Frankly, I have never heard of a Capacitor Discahrge Unit. I went online and found that PECO makes one anlong with other manufactures that were foreign to me.
I use a small Tyco power pack for powering my turnouts only. Where is the CDU installed? Does it go between the AC terminals on the power pack and the row of terminals that lead to the toggle switches?
John, your soilenoid switch machines will work better of connected to the DC side of your power pack, assuming it is not taken up with running your trains.
The CD unit should be on the wiring feeding your switch machines; it could cause problems elsewhere like burning out lightbulbs if you have lighted structures, etc. if installed before other powered stuff.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G Paine John, your soilenoid switch machines will work better of connected to the DC side of your power pack, assuming it is not taken up with running your trains. The CD unit should be on the wiring feeding your switch machines; it could cause problems elsewhere like burning out lightbulbs if you have lighted structures, etc. if installed before other powered stuff.
G Paine, the power pack is used solely for powering my switch machines (AC terminal). The rest of the layout (track) is powered by a Digitrax Zephyr unit. Had no idea those old-school Atlas switch machines could be powered with DC. I will likely order the PECO CDU.
UPDATE:
I installed a Capacitor Discharge Unit and it works GREAT!
Here's the wiring for my turnouts before:
And after with the CDU installed:
The turnouts work better than before with a solid, positive throw.
Thanks for the advice, guys!