I've got a bit of a quandry for my Forum friends. I have a older #6 Atlas CL LH turnout equipped with an Atlas remote machine that won't open it all the way. I can manually open the turnout by moving the throwbar without the machine. The machine will close the turnout after I have manually opened it. It is ballasted but in a way to make sure that the throw wasn't impinged. I am completely stumped. As usual, any suggestions that anyone might have would be most appreciated.
Can you swap in a different Atlas machine?
If a bit of junk or ballast got into the machine, that could mess it up.
When you throw the turnout to the bad side, does it make noise and put tension on the wire?
Is it easy to hand throw in both directions?
Do you use a CD circuit for your twin coils?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley Can you swap in a different Atlas machine? If a bit of junk or ballast got into the machine, that could mess it up.
I think I have a spare if the need arose. I will have to order one if not. The ballast was attached using duck tape.
MisterBeasley When you throw the turnout to the bad side, does it make noise and put tension on the wire?
The only noise that I get is the noise from the machine tripping. The machine snaps to the turnout using the Atlas connections and it is also attached using more of the duck tape.
MisterBeasley Is it easy to hand throw in both directions?
MisterBeasleyDo you use a CD circuit for your twin coils?
No, I don't have one hooked up. The boxes are mounted in such a way that I shouldn't have to worry about the button being pushed down for an extended period. The entire system is being powered by an MRC Tech II 2400 power pack.
You may not be getting enough power to the switch motor, which a CD circuit would help a lot.
If you can swap out the machine for another, try that.
Duct tape? That can distort the mount and cause binding. A standard Atlas mounting is sufficient.
ALso, is the duct tape anywhere near the throwbar? Otherwise what is under the turnout other than duct tape?
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G PaineALso, is the duct tape anywhere near the throwbar? Otherwise what is under the turnout other than duct tape?
Just like the other 19 turnouts (two manual 3-way turnouts and 17 with remotes.), the tape has been trimmed so that the tape is well clear of the throwbar. (All the rest work just fine.) The only thing under the turnout other than the tape is the cork sheet roadbed. (All the others have the same thing.)
MisterBeasley You may not be getting enough power to the switch motor, which a CD circuit would help a lot. If you can swap out the machine for another, try that. Duct tape? That can distort the mount and cause binding. A standard Atlas mounting is sufficient.
It is actually Duck tape. All the other machines seem to work just fine (open and close) including some that are farther away from the power than that one. The tape was put on only after the machine was mounted and the tape overlaps onto the turnout to keep everything level.
The reason for the Duck tape was to allow me to ballast the turnouts without worry about gluing anything in the turnout down by accident and to avoid having the ballast going over the ties.
FRRYKidIt is actually Duck tape.
Did the problem actually start right after you ballasted, or has it been ballasted for some time now? If it had worked properly at some point previously (but after ballasting), still works properly when thrown by hand, doesn't show signs of binding/hanging up when you throw it by hand, and works correctly in one direction, it almost has to be the solenoid in the machine. About the only other thing would be the plastic "finger" that connects the machine to the throwbar can get weak over time, but then shouldn't work when you throw it by hand. Either way, you're replacing the machine to fix it.
Mike
Look around your turn out. walk all the way around it. I think that a LION is holding in place with his toe.
Be careful when you chase the LION away, he might not have had breakfast yet.
I know that this LION has not eaten yet. Him have to go to morning prayer first.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Water Level RouteFRRYKid It is actually Duck tape. No. "Duck" is the brand. They make several types of tape. They make duct tape, packaging tape, masking tape, etc. "Duck" is not a type of tape.
I think we get the idea, but enjoy yourself.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Water Level Route FRRYKid It is actually Duck tape. No. "Duck" is the brand. They make several types of tape. They make duct tape, packaging tape, masking tape, etc. "Duck" is not a type of tape. Assuming you used the duct version of Duck tape leads to MisterBeasley's point that it could be binding your machine as it has sufficient holding power to do so. Did the problem actually start right after you ballasted, or has it been ballasted for some time now? If it had worked properly at some point previously (but after ballasting), still works properly when thrown by hand, doesn't show signs of binding/hanging up when you throw it by hand, and works correctly in one direction, it almost has to be the solenoid in the machine. About the only other thing would be the plastic "finger" that connects the machine to the throwbar can get weak over time, but then shouldn't work when you throw it by hand. Either way, you're replacing the machine to fix it.
FRRYKid It is actually Duck tape.
No. "Duck" is the brand. They make several types of tape. They make duct tape, packaging tape, masking tape, etc. "Duck" is not a type of tape. Assuming you used the duct version of Duck tape leads to MisterBeasley's point that it could be binding your machine as it has sufficient holding power to do so.
The tape is the Dove Gray duct tape. As already mentioned I made sure that everything worked before I ballasted everything. However, I will see if I have another LH machine in my collection. (I will need to talk nicely to Mom about going to the storage unit so that I can see if I have another LH machine in my collection. I put all the turnouts and parts in storage when I thought I was done with them.)
Well one thing for sure, something must be holding the little plastic arm that actuates the switch, if it's been working fine until now.
It can't take too much to see what might be in the way, or if the little arm is not working right. Take the machine off and see how it works.
Mike.
My You Tube
It's been a while but....... Remove the switch motor and see if the throw bar moves easily and fully in both directions. If not, check the pivot rivets to see if they are binding or if something is warping the turnout and binding it. Sometimes the rivets on the pivots need a spot of oil. Sometimes an uneven road bed or sub bed can slightly bend the turnout and bind it. If all that is good check or change the switch motor for another one - they're the type that snap onto the turnout IIRC. If the replacement motor fixes the problem, there you go. Sometimes the motors get a piece of debris in them that prevents full travel of the little plastic wand that actuates the throwbar. Sometimes you can clean them, mostly not. If everything is still not working, ensure the switch motor does not move in relation to the turnout when you activate it. As they say elsewhere, it's always the last thing you check. Good luck. J.R.
Put a straightedge in the top of the turnout and make sure it's perfectly level. A non-level mounting can cause binding or other mechanical restrictions on the throwbar.
It is always ssomething binding under the throw bar.
Stick a jewelker's file under the bar and sand dow the table top a little so that it has a grove to run in.
Maybe loosen some of the nails holding the turn out down.
WATT! no nails...
As I finally found a spare LH machine, I decided to see about fixing the problem. When I removed the tape from the machine and the turnout, the machine opened a bit (not enough to break). I checked and the throw was working properly. I reinstalled it and lo and behold now it works properly. Go figure.