I need some help troubleshooting. I'm operating two turnouts from one push button switch. There are places on the layout where this works just fine - both turnouts are thrown (and trains either cross from one line to another or stay on their own line). However, there are two cases where the two turnouts aren't thrown simultaneously - just one goes. I've pulled one apart a bit and tested each individually and they both operate with the same wiring. When I put them back together on the same wiring only one throws. The switches are Peco. Thanks for your help.
What type of powerpack are you using to throw the switches? Peco switches need more power to throw more than one machine at a time. My club had been using an MRC tech II to throw our Peco's and it would not throw our double ended crossovers. We ended up using a Hogger just to operate the switches and it will throw them OK. You might think of picking up a capacitor discharge unit like Circuitrons Snapper. It will provide the umph you need to throw your switches.
Hi, and welcome to the Forum..........
I've got 6 single crossovers (two turnouts each) that run from a single control (one for each crossover set). They are Atlas #8s, code 100, and the controllers are Atlas as well. I have never had a problem with them operational wise in any way.
You did not mention what kind of turnout "switch motors" you have (Atlas, Tortoise, etc.)? That information would help us figure out what could be the problem. Assuming they both work separately, then my best guess is that you have the wires reversed, mixing a ground wire with one of the two "directional" wires.
Anyway, give us more info and I guarantee you the good folks here can help you out!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Thank you for the advice. My powerpack is quite old. It's a Troller Transistorized Autopulse Twin Transpak 5. The switch motors are Peco. It seems odd that the powerpak would have the power to throw one set and not the others. I'll look into your suggestions. Thanks again.
Peco switch machines need more power than Atlas machines. The spring that holds the points on a Peco turnout needs a lot of force, relatively, to flip it over.
You need a Capacitive Discharge (CD) circuit to drive them. The "Snapper" mentioned above is once such circuit. You can make your own for a few dollars in parts, and put it between the power supply you're using now an the toggles and switch machines. This will also help protect all your other switch machines from burnout if the toggle should stick. If you use twin-coil machines, a CD circuit is a must.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Super. Thank you very much. I'll give it a shot.
with the peco points over centre spring, it is possible to slide the little keeper/cover and remove some of the tension applied to the blades. also, is it point motors further away from the control panel?? you may need heavier wire or a beefier PSU.