Sounds like a short inside, or the switch (turnout) is bound up.
Can you turn the switch by the switch indicator (red/green lamp housing)?
Kurt
Not a short circuit but an open circuit. It could be anywhere from the coil itself through the switch inside the turnout that disconnects the coil after the turnout moves through the cable back to the controller through the controller switch.
Does the turnout throw automatically when a train approaches from either trailing-point direction?
Bob Nelson
Since this thread will probably get a few knowledgable looks, I have an O22 switch problem also...
This particular switches "points" dont snug up to the fixed rails when thrown, and I have to manually twist the lantern to lock them in place. How can I adjust this?
fifedog wrote: Since this thread will probably get a few knowledgable looks, I have an O22 switch problem also...This particular switches "points" dont snug up to the fixed rails when thrown, and I have to manually twist the lantern to lock them in place. How can I adjust this?
You have to remove the switch solenoid from the base and re-align it properly, test fit it before putting it back together with the lantern cover.
Lee F.
Take the switch apart and clean all contact points, they will be either silver or copper color in appearance after you clean them. Also bench test(hook up a hot wire to the center rail and a common wire to the long continuos outside rail) your switch at the solenoid housing(where the switch control wires get hooked up) before putting it back in the layout by jumping off either outside terminal to the center terminal, this will tell you if the switch needs work or your controller needs work. If the switch works then your controller needs repair, if the switch don't work then the switch needs work.
Sometimes from experiance the 022 switch just up & dies, no way to fix except replace the solenoid.
One word of advice, the switch controller for 027 switches don't work as well as the 022 controller.
It is not throwing when the switch is straight to get it to throw into curve...It works fine when it is curved and it will switch to straight with no problems. There is something wrong with the internals i think...i opened it up and there are no visible signs of something wrong. I have no idea what to do. Because I have 2 switches right be each other. One bad and one good. The 2 curved parts of the 2 switches are connected to each other, like the one curve of the switch goes into the other curve of the other switch. Everything else on the layout works fine, just this one dang switch. I have finished wiring up my UCS sections and track power, and the coal ramp, just have to do 20 other accessories and fix the bad switch.
lionel2 wrote:I am using 022 switch controllers, not the 027, i do not use 027 at all, too small. the switch motor is fine, cause i got the switch to switch only 1 way but not the other way, the lights on the controller goes dead after i switch it once. then i cannot switch it back, unless i do it manually, but that switch is right in the middle of my layout and its a pain to get to.
Take your switch apart and clean the contacts, also make sure you have all the wire fastened inside. It is definetaly an internal switch problem!
lionel2................I had a similar problem with one of mine. I have 12 switches on my layout too. All are 022s. I found the problem to be in the switch controller. The switch worked good, even in the non-derailiing feature. I changed switch controllers and it works fine.
Chuck
This may be a long shot, but an O22 will behave as you've described if the controller isn't connected properly. Specifically, if the center wire of the controller ribbon is connected to one of the outer posts, the switch will only throw in one direction by the controller.
For that matter, try just connecting a wire to the center post on the switch. The switch should throw if you touch it to either of the two outside posts.
If this doesn't solve the problem, what the others have suggested should work well. As a first line of defense, pull the motor off, and spray the moving contacts and solenoid with CRC QD Electronics cleaner. Then, work the motor back and forth by hand, then powered with 18 volts. Be sure the contact cleaner is dry before applying power, however, as it contains methyl(wood) alcohol and is highly flammable. I've caught an O22 motor on fire(luckily without damage) before by failing to do just that.
lionel2..........Glad to hear that you solved the problem. You had me wondering on this one. I learned something.
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