Fastrack Remote Switch Short Problem

Hey Icy,

Check out the attached Lionel bulletin regarding FasTrack switches from a certain production run. It describes this exact problem and the fix.

I hope that's it and the switch works properly. So, don't question your wiring logic, etc. until you check this out. The worst part is taking out the 14 or 16 little screws and not losing them.

Good luck!

Thanks Carl, looks good. I'll use these instructions to check it out. Given the a number of switch problems, I have become efficient at removing and replacing those 14-16 screws. LOL

yeah, once you get them working , they pretty much stay working.  This sure seems like you have one of those. the problem only happens when you aux power.

let me know if it solves it.

Oh, I almost forgot- did you check the date code on your CW80?  If it has a G, no problem. You can also adjust the ACC output if the 10v seems a little low, as in the switches aren't snappy. If they work ok, no problem.

Hi Carl, That was it! I followed the directions in the bulletin and corrected the wiring in that switch.  Works fine now!

Regarding the CW80 accessory voltage, the info that accompanied the switches provides a range to operate. 10 VAC is within that range. Recently I reviewed a Lionel video that explains how to change the voltage, so I will increase the voltage to the optimum for switches. I'll also check the date code on the CW80. Thanks again!

That's sweet. No need to change the voltage if they are all working well. Just pointing out that you can adjust the performance.

The switch shorting caused another member to lose a good switch, also. That's when I learned about the bulletin.

Moonman posted:

Oh, I almost forgot- did you check the date code on your CW80?  If it has a G, no problem. You can also adjust the ACC output if the 10v seems a little low, as in the switches aren't snappy. If they work ok, no problem.

Yes, it is a G code followed by 6 numbers is stamp into the plastic bottom of my CW80. Following G is 12, I suppose it was manufactured in 2012; I purchased it in 2013 at our hobby shop, our local Lionel dealer. This evening I was enjoying running a train and all 7 switches (hooray!) so much I have not tried to increase the voltage on the accessory side.

I have a 2nd CW80 I'll need to check it's code. This transformer was purchased used;  and I intend to use it on my inter-ovals of track  as a block. It is at  the hobby shop; I'll explain why in another post.

Moonman posted:

Hey Icy,

Check out the attached Lionel bulletin regarding FasTrack switches from a certain production run. It describes this exact problem and the fix.

I hope that's it and the switch works properly. So, don't question your wiring logic, etc. until you check this out. The worst part is taking out the 14 or 16 little screws and not losing them.

Good luck!

SUPPLEMENT TO THE BULLETIN - I found a shortcut to supplement the bulletin! Instead of unsoldering and re-soldering the wires to the correct terminal blocks. This would be useful for others who may hesitate on soldering in the confines of the switch and near plastic. The terminal blocks can be lifted as a unit, disassembled from each other like puzzle pieces, then reassemble according to Steps 2-4 of the bulletin in the correct order and replaced in the switch. Actually I did need to unsolder and re-solder to create a little slack for the jumper wire, I just moved the other end of the wire to the same piece just closer to the terminal blocks.

Thanks again Carl for providing the bulletin. 

You are quite welcome! Thanks for creating the supplement.

These switches only reveal themselves when someone goes Aux power. Now you, too, can assist when you hear the tell tale symptoms.