Kato Switch Question

Kato Switch Question? Check out the Answer.

I do pride myself in being able to analyze, identify and resolve a problem. This one has me by the ....well...you know.

I have a Kato switch that I custom cut to fit into a specific location on the train layout. I did not cut into the metal box area where the solenoid is located. I don't need that trouble.

I don't even have it hooked up to the control panel...yet... so I've been manually throwing the switch. I've been testing for flaws before I start to button-up the layout. Now I know... I have one.

What would cause a Kato switch to freeze up (besides the cold temperatures here in Big Bear, CA...down to the 40's at night) at the manual throw point. Maybe I poured cyanoacrylate into it by mistake? Could be. Anyway, I can throw the switch but it feels like honey or something gooey got into it. Any ideas?

 

Rick,

I have experienced this with just a few grains of ballast. And after vacuuming dozens of times it still wants to freeze up occasionally. Try the vacuum, you might have gotten a little "sawdust" from sawing the roadbed.

Ben

 

Thanks Ben and Matt for the advice.

The vacuum was tried...nothing. I removed the switch and was interrupted with a lengthy telephone discussion on a subject non-related to trains.

However, before I allowed the call to disrupt completely...I did note that nothing foreign was causing the sticky feeling and response when pushing on the hand throw.

Backing up a second: Before, I removed the switch I tried running a train through it and ended up with a operational short and shut down. After wiggling the mechanisim/hand throw the short cleared up.

I may have a contributing problem. I am using a older MRC throttle that has momentum. I tested the transformer and it does test positive for a voltage leak when the rheostat is in the off position or at speed zero. In other words I can't seem to be able to cut off all the current when in the zero speed position. This may have contributed (in theory) to a melt down somewhere in the switch. I will get back to you as soon as I get a chance to give the inner workings of the switch a hard look.

I was told when I bought the transformer it had been used on a common rail/track wired layout. I suspect the transformer overheated damaging the internal workings. Perhaps melting wires allowing them to occasionally touch...thus the voltage leak.

But, why just one switch? Still checking.

Back at you later.

 

Problem Resolved. Check out how?

If you ever wondered how things look inside a Kato Switch...here ye go!

I believe I owe all that have participated here an accounting of what I found and how I solved the problem. Oh yes, it works great...but first...

My first thought was the screw at the frog was to tight and possibly causing the problem. Nope. No doubt, it could as the points would not move freely should I crank the screw down tight.

Next, I got my camera out pulled the back off the switch and took a picture of what I found. I didn't find anything foreign to the switch. No cool-aid, punch, diet Dr. Pepper, glue, ballast (as I haven't done that yet) sawdust and/or fingernail. See the first picture attached.

While examining the switch I found the throw-rod (for lack of a proper description) had moved out of it's socket. I replaced it and that's when I discovered it wasn't moving freely. There is a plastic whatchamacallit that directs the throw-rod, a glide of sorts. I pulled up the black slider, ever so carefully. I despise parts sprung all over the train layout and floor. I hate that when that happens. Peeking under the black slider, I noted, black plastic had melted onto the throw-rod causing the problem. I removed the melted plastic and put the throw-rod back into the glide and it works wonderfully. Sigh of releif. Note the second picture attached.

Something got hot and I'l bet it's my transformer that's causing the grief. Tomorrow, I will cannobalize it and what's left will head for the trash. Unless I see something obvious and it's fixable.

Thanks for the read.

 

Kato Switch Has Hot Spot!

For the inquireing mind:

Further investigation provides the following: The cause of the melt down/hot spot inside of the Kato Switch is in my opinion due to the AC leakage from the transformer. In another thread where we discussed the "Common Wire / Rail". Tony Burzio mentioned hot spots in Kato switches. I am wondering if this is what he was referring to? It appears the AC leakage coming out of the transformer arced across the points heating up the throw rod and melting the glide thus the sticky/gooey feeling.

Looking back, at when I went to align the switch... the points were sitting half-way between the rails and I noticed fire/sparks momentarily across the points. At the time the transformer was in the stop position. I aligned the points to clear for an approaching train and set the train in motion. As the train passed over the switch there was a momentary overload/short. Wiggling the hand throw cleared up the short for a nano-second however, the transformer shut down overload indicator ON.

RE: The Transformer. Today, I cannobalized the transformer. I did find a wire where the insulation had melted off and it was stuck to the mother board (for the lack of a better word). This could be the source of the AC voltage leak. I did note, that other wires had melted insulation...also.

As Matt Taylor said, "It's time to get a new transformer". A good time to think about DCC. Maybe I will win the lottery? Now to dig around in storage and find my other transformers.

The Kato Switch...despite it all... cleaned-up... the switch tests out and works fine.

I hope this helps others if presented with the same dilemma.

Thanks for the read.

 

I don't think it is the type of "hot spot" you mean, but I have noticed my locos speed up considerably when passing through Kato switches that lead into or out of reverse loops. It is only momentary and never concerned me, just puzzled me. The same speed-up does not occur through switches at each end of a reverse section that is not actually a "loop." Puzzling.

Ben