LOOKING FOR SWITCH TRACK TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS

Stephen,

A few things to check out. With the switch machine disconnected from the turn-out, make sure the points move easily in both directions with no binding. Obviously check to make sure that the switch machine is properly located so that it moves the points the same amount in either direction to open/close the point rails. Check to see that the attaching screw holding the machine to the tie is not "too" tight causing it to bind. The machine should also be sitting flat so as not to cause a binding either on the throw bar or linkage spring. Also you want to check the voltage at or near the machine power points that you are operating. I find voltages closer to the upper limit (16v) works best. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks CCN, the screw is the first place I go that is the fix most of the time. They do seam to be binding up at the half way point when I switch from the turn out to straight through position. I thinking the track itself may be the problem. I will let you know within the next day or two how I make out. And thank's for your help...... Steve

Stephen,

A "trick" that I learned recently from Steve at Ross Custom Switches really made a difference with my Ross turnouts and DZ1000 motors.

Take the end of the switch motor spring where it slips into the throw bar and bend the sloping angle down into more of a a right angle. This removes downward pressure on the throw bar and can make the switch throw much more easily.

It corrected the kind of behavior that you're seeing, on several of my Ross turnouts.

I use the DZ1000's with Atlas switches and have had to work with a couple of them to give that foot on the little spring room to clear the road bed or they do just what you describe.

Barry,Scott thank you both. That spring thing makes a lot of sense. I'am ripping some wood today for a trestle I get to the switch machine in a day or so and let you know how I make out.    Thank's   Steve

I took the time this morning to work on the two switch machine's that were giving me problems and was able to get them to operate correctly. One unit I removed one screw from the DZ1000 and it's switching every time,the second was the switch track itself,I backed off on the screws and BINGO it's working. Thank's for the help guy's.   Steve