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On my fledgling layout I have 3 O-36 remote switches (turnouts). Two of them work perfectly, but the third one acts up when any car passes through it from the frog end. The strange behavior includes "chattering" in the switch when a truck passes over the non-derailing section, and the light on the controller only lights up when the switch is "chattering" - as soon as all the cars are past the switch it stops "chattering" and the light on the controller goes out.

If I use the controller or the Cab-2 to throw the switch, the light on the controller comes on and stays on until a car passes through it again. The switch is powered from track voltage - 18VAC since I use legacy - and throws/closes properly from either the controller or the Cab-2; even the non-derailing works properly if the switch is thrown against the train entering from the frog end, but then it starts "chattering" again.

This turnout is the only one of the three exhibiting this behavior - the other two act just like one would expect.

I looked at the other threads about remote switch problems, but the problems they have are not the same as mine. Any help is appreciated.

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This did the trick - I really appreciate the help. I did put a small amount of Bondic on it, and now it works like a champ.

Now it's time to think about aux power for the switches. I know Mike Reagan recommends it, but there are several threads here saying that some switches are wired wrong to add aux power, so I'm not in too big a hurry to add it.

Since your running command control there's really no reason to wire the switches to an auxiliary power source.

The switches use very little power and at the same time they are designed to handle command voltage.

I've had 7 remote switches on my layout at 18v for 13 years. No issues.

Imo. Wiring switches to an auxiliary power source is more for the conventional operator that doesn't want power interruptions to their switches.

Other fastrack items , like uncoupling tracks ,and operating tracks, require an auxiliary power source because they are designed for operation at 12-14v.

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