Lionel tubular switches

making sure the transformers are in phase is always a good idea under any circumstances, as far as noise reduction? I'll leave that to the more knowledgeable folks on the forum.

I'm only using one transformer, so there's nothing to phase yet. I'm looking to power my switches separately. Should I just get new switches?

Hi Cleartracks01,

 

There's no need to change your switches.  Running them off a separate transformer at less than 18 volts is a good idea for the switch motors, light bulbs, and DCS signal quality.  You will need to phase the transformers and connect the common terminals to maintain automatic non-derailing.  The switch motors will be quieter at 12 to 14 volts than at 18, but tubular switches are never really quiet.

If you're using older tubular switches, I actually recommend not going down to 12 volts, many of them don't switch reliably at that voltage.  I run 022 switches and their close relatives at 16 volts for positive operation.  When I recondition them I test them at 12 volts, but after they're in use for a spell, that may be too low.

 

This advice is for Lionel PW tubular switches, other brands will likely have different requirements.

Cleartracks01: I used to have 35 Lionel tubular O27 profile switches - both 27" and 42".  I'm not sure which type you have, but by your 'noisy' comment I would guess that yours too are Lionel O27 profile.

 

I wired all of mine for external power, mostly to help improve my DCS signal by not having it travel thru the coils.  But that doesn't do much to quell the noise though when trains run thru them because the auto-derail still kicks in each time a wheel set activates it.

 

I learned from a "forum friend" on CTT how to wire them up to eliminate the buzzing and I did that to 8 of them, but it was too costly for me. 

 

I now run K-Line new low-profile O27 switches and there is no "noise".

 

- walt

I have used my post war 022 switches at 18 volts with auxillary power plug and they work very well. With 18 volts the switch snaps the throw bar, also using 18.4 volt bulbs from Radio Shack.

For other tubular switches please read the instructions that come with them, as they may differ on what voltage to use.

 

Lee Fritz

So from what I understand, to modify Lionel 0-27 switches, you simply cut the wire that leads from the center rail, and connect the two wires that leads to the center of the the coil to your transformer that would be phased with the power going into the tiu, correct?

Basically, yes.  There are also mods to prevent it from cooking the coils when you park a train on it, usually by using a capacitive-discharge system to drive them.

I've done my first one, and its wonderful.

Since I don't use my switches all that much, I can just shut them off when I'm not using them, and the buzz is gone

pictures, we want pictures of the modifications, please...

It's not so much the buzz as the smoking coils if you park on them too long.

 I never park on switches. Its just something I don't do. Not for any particular reason either. I've just never parked on a switch.  But, for the sake of my curiosity, how does one perform this capacitive discharge mod?

Thanks John.

Seems simple enough to do. 

I didn't feel like going up to the layout, I felt like getting creative. Here is a quick diagram that I drew up on autocad. Hopefully it makes sense to you, as I tried to put everything in layman's terms. 

Thanks for posting this, this is great. The switch buzzing is the reason I got into gargraves track with 0-gauge switches to begin with. (with a couple of Gargraves/ Ross switches thrown in) The Gargraves switches, however, aren't very "slide-shoe friendly".

I should have put my name, and the fellow's name that taught me how to do it, in the article somewhere

 

john, you know that I'm in no way offended that you're distributing the article with no credits.  In fact, I'm glad it's helping people - that is THE purposed for it, right?

 

I'll count Cleartracks01 reference in my tally of how many people have used the article.  OGR never wanted it.

 

- walt

Walt,

 

I didn't find the thread, only the link to the article as a direct link using Google search.  I would have cheerfully credited the authors if I knew who they were.

 

Sorry John if I remembered some history incorrectly.  I remember someone, a few months ago, saying they created a PDF or something and that it would make it easier to distribute, rather than having me send an email with 12 pictures.

 

I was thinking that person was you when I saw the link above.  Apologies.

 

- walt

No problem Walt.  

 

I just didn't want anyone assuming I was taking credit for the PDF I linked, as I didn't know who the author actually was.  Actually, it was me that created a PDF of some individual sheets for several postings here, so it was likely my work.  However, the contents were not my work.