022 switches getting hot middle rail!!

[lionel2]

I have 12 022 switches on my layout, and when i run my trains i hear sizzling sounds comming from 1 or 2 switches.  The middle rail is very hot, but its not tripping my red light on my transformers.  Either my short red light is broken or bad connections.  seems like i lose alot of power.  i have no idea what is wrong.

[chuck]

You should pull the two that are making strange sounds and overheating center rails.  They probably have an internal short.  Flip em over and carefuly take them apart.  There is a layer of craft paper that is supposed to isolate some of the components on the top side of the switch from other ones on the bottom side.  There may be a tear or burn through in this paper.  You may also have a broken or metled wire near where the switch points pivot.  The Greenberg or K-Line manuals cover O-22 repairs and there have been some nice articals in back issues of CTT on O-22 maintenance.

[ADCX Rob]

I doubt it's a short circuit situation.  You probably need more power feeds around your layout, as there is too much power being transmitted to the load(the train, or track/switches/accessories beyond the offending switch) through the internal center rail crimped/soldered connections on the underside of the switches(they do sometimes loosen up over time - vibration, moving, handling, cold solder joints, eg.).  Fortunately, you can easily disassemble the 022's to effect the repair if you desire, something quite difficult to do with the 1121/1122/1122E O-27 types.

Otherwise, just make sure there is a lockon or power feed within 2-3 track joints of each of the 3 legs of the switch.  This should alleviate any hot spots.

Rob 

 

[ADCX Rob]

well...i tried just one lockon, it works great!!  prolley because of the power of my Z's.  I got all 4 of my transformers running for my layout,  i have 20 accessories hooked up to my 4 transformers.  Just 2 or 3 accessories per posts. 

I just saw this in your other post.

You need a lot more than 1 lockon if you have 12 022 switches on your layout powered with a Z transformer - this is(part of) your problem, in addition to the internal switch connections.

Rob 

[lionel2]

Yeah, i think i found the problem, i got one switch working fine now.  The other still gets hot.  It's the 2 switches closest to the lockon.  I only have 1 lockon per line.  You think i should add another lockon on the other end of the layout??  thanks.

[ADCX Rob]

Yeah, i think i found the problem, i got one switch working fine now.  The other still gets hot.  It's the 2 switches closest to the lockon.  I only have 1 lockon per line.  You think i should add another lockon on the other end of the layout??  thanks.

At LEAST 1 more.  As needed.

Rob 

[lionelsoni]

If the problem here is poor conductivity through the turnout's middle rail, then adding a feeder to the far side of the layout is overkill and, depending on the arrangement of the turnouts, may not even solve the problem.  If you can't fix the individual turnout internally, a direct solution is a jumper in the center rail locally around the turnout.

[lionel2]

i added a 2nd lockon, all is good now!! 

[RockIsland52]

i added a 2nd lockon, all is good now!! 

Perfect.....now get on that Berk cow catcher/track clearance issue in your other thread.  No rest for the wicked!

Jack