0-6-0 Conventional dockside switcher e-unit activates crossing switch

Turn your e-unit off if you can but get it in foward first!!!

@chessie1971 posted:

Turn your e-unit off if you can but get it in foward first!!!

Yes, there is a switch for it on the bottom which does work, but I was actually thinking of using it as a switcher which will require both forward and reverse.

It has two pickup rollers which makes me wonder why it is exhibiting that behavior.

John

Yes, take off the tape to see if that works. The roller are obviously losing contact.

@romiller49 posted:

Yes, take off the tape to see if that works. The roller are obviously losing contact.

You're right.  I can always put them back on.  The tape went on because certain engines were shorting out on the FasTrack switches entering from the divergent end.  That solved that problem only to present a new problem, but at least I'll know if that is the problem and then maybe come up with an alternate solution.

Thanks Rod,

John

John, the piece of tape may just be a little too long. Since other locos were shorting out most likely the short was at the very edge of the rail. Try just a 1/8 “ piece of tape at the rail end. This will shorten the insulated gap that was created by the longer piece of tape.

I have an SD70 with wheels shorting on an O22 switch from the overhange.  In my case I was able to make some Plastic wheels to fix the problem.  The end of the page discusses the wheel fix.

@romiller49 posted:

John, the piece of tape may just be a little too long. Since other locos were shorting out most likely the short was at the very edge of the rail. Try just a 1/8 “ piece of tape at the rail end. This will shorten the insulated gap that was created by the longer piece of tape.

Thanks Rod,

That seemed to work.  I was using lengths equal to the width of the tape.  I made new ones half that length and no more electrical interruptions for the switcher going through the switches even at low speed.   I tested the Lionel Santa Fe LionChief diesel that was shorting out before I installed the tape and it didn't short.

Great idea.

Thanks Rod

John