I have a problematic Kato #6 turnout from an HV2 passing set. It has worked well for some time, but sometimes lately, when the turnout is set in the primary straight direction, the locomotive will lose power after passing over the V. The entire track section beyond there is dead. Sometimes flipping the turnout switch a few times resolves it. I tried tightening the screws on the bottom of the turnout - including the Power Routing screws - with no luck. If I change the turnout from "Power Routing" to "Non-Power-Routing" by moving the screws to the relevant locations, I get power fine down both branches of the turnout. I suppose the Power Routing circuitry is faulty in this particular switch of mine? Has anyone else seen this? Any tips? Should I contact Kato? Thanks.
I'm not sure what might have gone wrong. Perhaps you might wish to remove the plate that covers the works and see if there's anything you can see that's amiss. The inside of a N Scale No. 4 looks like this. You can see the sliding contact to the right pivoting on the black "screw". Good idea you had to tighten the screws. Contacting Kato may also be a good idea.
The HO #6 is the same mechanism as the N #4. Looking at Hardcoaler’s photo, the screws can be seen as permanently bridging the power feeds, while the it is the cross-like piece of metal which “power routes” as the position is changed. Most likely, that piece is no longer making good contact, or may even have some oxidation on it.
Dirt, corrosion, or simply...………………………….wear. You could also blame a design and choice of materials that weren't meant to create a turnout that your great granddaughter would inherit. For a quick 'n dirty attempt to restore the function of the contacts, purchase a spray can of contact cleaner in the electrical department. It may work. Failing that, you should attempt to pop off that slide and find a way to restore the friction contact...maybe lift tabs, try soldering atop them to create a thicker layer...I mean thin like paint almost, just enough of a smear of solder to improve the proximity to the contacts to the points. I would also call Kato and see if they don't have a handy solution, maybe even a new slide? For about six dollars in total?
Thanks guys. This turnout has only been in use for less than a month. The other #6 I have doesn't have this issue. I'm not sure it's oxidation / dirtiness - since this happened so quickly and I'm in a clean spare bedroom, not garage or basement - and it only happens in one direction - what's up with that? I'll have to take it apart and see if the sliding contact is messed up only when toggled to that direction... I was on Kato's web site and it's unfortunate that you can't email them with this kind of stuff. Sounds like I'd need to call them up and potentially mail this in at my expense. Whereas I could grab another #6 for $25 and be done with it without all that hassle. Of course I should try to get this working again first at least. I'm not sure if keeping it in non-power-routing mode is a solution. It definitely works around this issue. I only run DC. I know non-power-routing mode is supposed to be for DCC. Would there be any issues you guys can think of in running in non-power-routing mode primarily? Mainly a single locomotive will run on this layout.
Keep it in "non-power-routing" mode. All it means is that your are always feeding both legs at all times, which isn't a problem. And you are no longer relying on a sliding contact. If this feeds a siding which you want to isolate for power "off", then use a pair of insulating Unijoiners on the track, and add feeders to the siding with a DPDT. This is actually a better solution, since it can kill power to both rails, not just one.
Toggled all my turnouts to non power routing. Makes a lot of sense this way anyway. I like the idea of isolating a section of track with insulators it I want it to run independently.
