All of a sudden Atlas turnout will not function

Hi

 I have about 70 atlas switches. burnt out over half 45 of the switch motors.

most were less than 1 year old. replaced them with n.j. international under mounts.

 and have not had problem sence.

Be very careful not to exceed a VERY temporary 10-12 volts.

if you do, a new machine will be needed.

Scrappy

I would recommend capacitor discharge,shown here

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowT...=411&categoryId=

Dale H

+1 to dale! The Atlas switch machines should only be activated for less than 1 second. A capacitive discharge setup will definitly do this. I've used CD ever since I started in model RR with N scale. Only way to go for twin coil switch machines.

Thanks everyone for all the responses:

Any ideas as to the 2nd issue regarding in some cases when the turnouts engage,

the track is not completley locking in either straight or curve, there is a gap.

Copy of a post Nov 30 2012.

I have my Atlas switches wired though ASC's (Accessory switch controllers). Older IC Control models.  Hold the through or out button a bit too long on the remote and the ASC would cycle through (2 or more) momentary's, enough to cause damage to the switch motor. Eventually I installed the Atlas 6924 relay boards with built in time out feature. Keep in mind that the 6924 boards have a lot of different functions, inhibiting switch motor burn out only one.
Switch motor burnout

6924 Relays installed.  In some cases one relay controls two switch motors, (Cross over) These relays are wired for power routing to smooth out switch power loss.  The fuse blocks pictured were added to inhibit 6924 relay trace burn out. Even though the boards are rated at 10 amps, and I fused track power at 7.5 amps I have damaged the boards. The fuses pictured are 3 amp fuses and protect the board traces from burn out. 


The fuses protect track power routed through the relay and back to the short dead rail sections center of the switch, either through or out. This enhances electrical supply as the unit/locomotive travels over the switch.   Cross over combination involve two track circuits, i.e two track power fuses to one relay pictured. Both relay/switch combinations 17 & 18 involve two track circuits and use both sets of relays available on the 6924 relay board. The inline fuses are 3 amp. 


Atlas 6924 relay basic wiring from their website. Automatic Non-derail function
Atlas 6924 power routing.
Atlas 6924 Dwarf signals added.
Access other 6924 relay wiring function on this Atlas page.

Mike

Tortoise will be s a great replacement.

MikeCT,

Where you state, Sometimes loosening the mounting screws, are you speaking about the 5 or 5 small screws below the housing lid? Otherwise there are no other screws other then maybe in the rails, are you talking about them? Sometimes I think that I should have went with Ross switches. Also, were exactly do the volt probes touch regarding checking through and out coils? Also calling ATLAS since these turnouts are not even a yr old.

Thank you all.

Ok got it Mike I thank you. By the way, if the manual lever works ok, would this

possibly indicate the motor is still good and that i may just have a electrical situation?

Thx

Ok will do Mike.

By the way, my first issue were the motor i snot engaging, it seems the power

wire came loos from the AIU (Unreal)..

Now on the 2nd situation were another turnout will not competley throught left or right, this was a problem as you stated, all screws had to be loosen however the only issue left with this turnout is the motor only engages when selecting through, it will not engage selecting turnout. Those connections to the switch and AIU is correct.

i will check the continuity to see if I get a reading. Thx

FYI:  I have 52 ATLAS Switches on my Layout for the past 6 Years. I operate all of them on 18 Volts thru an ASC and CAB1 or CAB2. This Unit puts a Momentary Pulse on the operation of the Switch! Have never burned out a Switch Motor yet. I did burn out 1 motor when a Freight Car derailed and shorted out one of the Outside Screw Contacts with the Middle Screw on the Switch Motor itself! What can I say. The operation on all of them is a GOOD Snap in either direction!

Fredstrains

Thanks Mike and everyone who had input to this I really appreciate it.

Have a good day.

You're welcome

Mike

Will the Tortoise switch machines work with the AIU?

I have 45 Atlas turnouts on my layout, have been running them for almost two years now with the MTH AIU's (5) and have had no problems. I had one early on that worked fine when I first installed it, but shortly afterwards quit working. I removed the top of the machine and even though the internal wire connection from the coils to the common post appeared to be OK, it was not. I fixed that connection, and have had no more problems.

I also run them at 18v.

Functionally, I have had much better experience with the 45 Atlas that with the RCS.

Good luck!

Alex

Hi Ingeniero,

Speaking of coil wires in the Atlas internal wiring, is there suppose to be a wire from the coil to each of the 3 posts? If so, I do see the one for my turnout connection just dangleing there. If so, this could be the issue that I currently have were when the motor engages fore the the THROUGH it works but not for the TURNOUT.

I think the answer to that is YES. Looks like you found your problem!

Take care!

Fredstrainsl

oK Cool, going to see if Atlas will send me a new motor since it is still under warranty etc.

Thx

Ok the wire from the coil is the issue, it seems it has disconnected from the coil

to the Turnout post, Atlas is sending a new one.

Thanks everyone for all the help and assistance.