I have a switch machine that gets stuck. When I press it for the curve section, it switches with no problem. Switching it back to straight is the problem. I can hear machine buzzing but no go. At times, I have no problem with that switch. I have changed out machines that have worked just holding them in my hand but when I attach them to the switch, the sticking begins. I thought that the arm attached to the track was hitting the roadbed but I made a grove under it but it did not help. I am using wire from a 4 wire cable. It is kind of thick and it is aluminum wire as are all the other switches. I thought that was the problem so I switched to telephone sized copper wire but it was the same thing. I changed out the throw switch - didn't help. Also, when I keep pressing the throw switch, the switch motor gets warm. You can tell it wants to switch, hear the connection and see a short motion in the lever but will not switch. My switches are old as dirt but the rest of them work ok. I hope I did not confuse anyone.
Did you already inspect your bearing at the points? Are the points bend ones? is there a corn of ballast blocking the motion sometimes (glue+stone+points = problems!) scopewime
"I have a switch machine that gets stuck. When I press it for the curve section, it switches with no problem. Switching it back to straight is the problem. I can hear machine buzzing but no go. At times, I have no problem with that switch. I have changed out machines that have worked just holding them in my hand but when I attach them to the switch, the sticking begins. I thought that the arm attached to the track was hitting the roadbed but I made a grove under it but it did not help. I am using wire from a 4 wire cable. It is kind of thick and it is aluminum wire as are all the other switches. I thought that was the problem so I switched to telephone sized copper wire but it was the same thing. I changed out the throw switch - didn't help. Also, when I keep pressing the throw switch, the switch motor gets warm. You can tell it wants to switch, hear the connection and see a short motion in the lever but will not switch. My switches are old as dirt but the rest of them work ok." I hope I did not confuse anyone. Old as dirt. Hmm. How does the tension on the throwbar feel when you remove the machine and push the throwbar lightly with your finger? Are these old Atlas machines? And, you might try reversing the output wires to the switch at the controller, just to see if the issue is the controller. If the problem still is shifting to the same direction, swap the wires back and then swap them at the machine. We are checking worn/pitted/burned controller contacts with the first swap, and high resistance wiring with the second. Like, maybe, wires just twisted together someplace under the layout.
When I get home from work, I will switch the wires. I will take a video of what the switch is doing and post it. It is an Atlas that is about 25 years old. The switch machine works when I take it off and hold it in my hand
Load can cause wiring issues to drop enough voltage the machine won' t throw...yet it will heat up and burn out! I've got boxes of old Atlas machines on switches that belong to my nephew...and back in the day, it's all we used.
Here is a video of the switch that is sticking. Wouldn't you know, it is working now. I didn't rewire it. I will do that when it quits working. If you guys detect anything, let me know.http://s733.photobucket.com/user/1bassplyr/media/MVI_4105.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0 Scalecraft - PM sent
Wiring can be an issue. Burned contacts on the controller can be an issue. Rust on the bottom plate of the machine can be an issue. Overheated and distorted coils can be an issue. Okay, here's what we do since it's intermittent. Find out which of the outer wires on the machine controls the problem direction. Now, measure centre pin to the good side with a voltmeter while operating the controller, note the voltage. Connect the voltmeter to the bad side and centre pin, operate the controller, note the voltage. Leave the voltmeter connected, and when the machine acts up again, tell me what the good side voltage was initially, the bad side initially, and what it is now. Other than that, dripping a bit of plastic-compatible oil into the machine through the slot onto any angled bits you can see will help it work. Dave
It is the black wire closet to the camera. I don't have a voltage meter but my neighbor does. I will ask him for help on the readings
