Circuitron snapper - Peco Swith

[Anonymous]

Another question for you experts:

All my turnouts are Pecos. They are automated with Peco motor switch machines(PL-10)and Accessory switch (PL-13) for the signal lights. When I first installed and tried them, I had problems to make them work properly. Most of the time they were buzzing and not switching. Some were even difficult to switch manually. I tried to adjust the tension on the switch but in many cases, the problem was still there. I am also not sure that tension is the only problem. The PL-13 Accessory (operating pin that goes in the switch) might also cause friction. What do you think ? Then somebody told me to add the Circuitron Snapper Switch Machine Power Supply #800-5303. I bought it and since then, it's going very well. My question: Could it damage my switches on a medium or long time period ?

Thanks.

Patrick.

[Anonymous]

Patrick - Sounds like there's something restricting movement of the points, since they were hard to move manually. I'd check that out. Using the other power supply probably adds enough "oomph" to overcome the restriction. You might be risking damage to the switch motors, because they have to work harder to move the points (operative word is "might").

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bill.

Patrick.

[Anonymous]

Patrick: I agree with Bill, you have a problem somewhere and I believe it is with the free movements in the switch as I have had problems there before. Ninty percent of my switches are peco. Go by process of illimination. I would unplug your switch machine power supply, then I would manually throw your switches. If you are having trouble doing this then I would say it is either with you switch machine or something is restricting the free movement of the throws. On one of your switches that you can easily work on I would then remove the switch machine and see if things move freely, if they do then I would try the switch machine by itself not attached to the switch. If your switch moves freely and there is no problem with the switch machine then there may be a problem with the way it was installed, check this carefully. If you have a spare switch that is not installed you may try make sure it moves freely, hook the switch machine that you took out up to it and try it separately. You can also try another type of power supply. Just work slowly and carefully and with the process of illimination you usually can isolate the problem.
Have had to do this a few time on different things, remember go slow and if your temper or flustration level gets too high, shut everything down and come back another day. Hope this helps. Ron.

[Anonymous]

Ron:

Thanks for your help. I will give it a try and let you know.

Patrick.

[Anonymous]

HI Ron,

I have unplug the circuitron power supply. All switches work but some do a buzz when I press the push buttons to switch. Is it normal ?

Patrick.

[Anonymous]

Could ballast be interfering with the mechanism?

[Anonymous]

Like the others I'd check carefully to see what inhibiting the switch from moving. The buzzing is something that can happen if the machine is getting an insufficient amount of power or is prevented from moving. It's an audible indication something isn't happening as expected.

I'd investigate a capacitive discharge system for the turnouts. There are many designs out there, all relatively the same. Almost any of the model railroad books on electronics have them. They give a strong pulse of power built up in the capacitor but one which dicipates quickly and can't burn out the switch machine. I've build several for different layout and for friends and they work great.

Bob