Hey gang - I've got an Atlas (C80) turnout on my layout that has suddenly developed an electrical problem. The green sections in the photo below check good w/ the voltmeter - the red section, however, has no power. the problem exists w/ the switch thrown in both directions - to the main and to the siding. I'm guessing it's a bad connection at the section where the frog pivots? Is there a fix for this, short (no pun intended) of replacing the turnout?
dave, you could probably just solder some jumpers from the live rails to the dead ones. I think you would only need to solder one for the dead approach rail as it would also power the dead departure rail. And another jumper from the live outside diverging to the dead one. I hope that made sense. Eric
Dave: I solder .010 inch brass wire from the moveable points to the frog rails. I do it right where the hinge is and jumper the little gap. The wire is about one inch long and goes on the outside of the rail. It is not noticeable at all when weathered. I do it on my Peco code 55 because they lose that contact ability right at the hinge. I have Peco code 55 with electrical frogs.
You can see the two pieces of solder on the outside of the rail gap. The wire runs through the solder. Also, the solder and the wire has been weathered so it is not too obvious. I do this on both point rails.
Here are jumpers on a Shinohara #4 turnout. The arrow points to one wire, there is another on the other side. http://members.cox.net/alhoop/jumper.jpg Al
That was it. I soldered a jumper as described above and it works like a champ now. Thanks for the help everyone - the pictures were especially helpful.
Al: Nice job on working in close places. I am a little familar with Shinohara and I have seen that done before, but not on the inside of the rails. Good work!!
