Atlas #4 turnout with switch machines - Sticking

Yes. It's called the Tortoise.

Stevert

As long as you pay for them I will be more then happy to switch.

Thanks for not helping

Chris

Hi Chris

I always scoop out a trough in the cork roadbed underneath the throwbar. That way there is no fricton. Be careful though that you don't leave any crumbs behind as they can get caught in the mechanism. In some applications where the scoopout isn't practical. I slip a thin piece of plastic (like a thin credit card) under the mechanism to reduce friction. Of course, that works only where in "hidden" areas.

Hope this helps

Carter Braxton

Inspect the throwbar and rod from the switch motor to insure that there are no forces up/down on them. The rod should be free in the vertical direction as well as free in the horizontal direction so that there are no frictional forces on the rod as it goes through the hole in the throwbar. Needless to say, when the switch motor is at one end of the travel, it should be pushing horizontally agains the throwbar to hold the points in the correct location. In addition, the throwbar should be able to move back and forth without hitting anything under or beside it or there will be problems. The force needed to move the points back and forth isn't very high at all as all of the parts are light and the joints are low friction pins type joints.

-- Yeppie, Bush is such an idiot that He usually outwits everybody else. How dumb!

So your original post, although phrased as a request for advice, was really a request for funding?

Chris, Your original post never mentioned low- or no-cost. Besides, I didn't somehow force you to use the switch machines that are causing you problems so I'm not sure why you think I should pay for replacements.

You asked for a fix, and I suggested one. I'm so sorry you find that unhelpful.

Stevert

That is not the problem. Thanks for your suggestion though. It seems that the pin arm from the switch to the turnout puts to much pressure on the turnout which has some play built into it and the switch does not. I played around with them some more last night and rebent the point rails which will fix the problem somewhat. I would still like the switch to go all the way and do what it is suppose to though.

Thanks again

Chris

Thanks for the advice Bob. I am going to play around with them and see what I can do.

Chris

Chris, if you can find or built a capacitor discharge unit for your switch machines, that would help alot.

If your using a conventional power pack, the accessories terminal on it may not be enough to throw the turnouts well, a capacitor discharge unit will help a lot to provide power for those turnouts.

Alan

Problem solved. I have been messing around with these switches for the last 2 hours and finally realized "hey nut check the voltage of the transformer" It was less then 12v. I hooked up my other transformer and they work great.

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

Chris

OOPPTHH ! ! ! Didn't see that one coming! I'd suggest that you build a CD system so that you can limit the current going to those machines as that can kill them off faster than anything. You'll also learn a bit of electronics and be able to tune the voltage on the cap to a value that is good for the switch machines.

-- Yeppie, Bush is such an idiot that He usually outwits everybody else. How dumb!

I ordered a Circuitron - Snapper the other day. Should be here friday. That should help some.

Thanks for everyone's help. It is much appreciated.

Chris