What makes a DZ1000 switch machine go bad? How much voltage can they take before burning out?
I have two that just quit on me.
Lee F.
If I recall correctly, they’re designed for up to 18V, though they probably work best at 14 to 16Volts. The only problem I’ve ever had was a small piece of dirt getting inside during scenicing. I opened the switch, removed the piece from the gearing and its been working fine since.
Had mine hooked up to a post war Z transformer, set voltage with digital meter, but with power surges here it might have been possible to get over 18 volts to them. Now I have the switches hooked up to an A.F. 8B post war transformer, measured voltage with digital meter and it was 17.1 volts across the 15 volt fixed output.
Lee F.
This is from the Z-stuff web site
“The Switch Machine features power cutoff to prevent burnout if power is left on. Easy to mount above or below your benchwork. Can be powered from 8-16VAC …”
I run mine off a post on my P/W ZW set at 12v. can’t believe they burnt out. I think a little more investigation is needed.
The switch machines just quit working, what else would you call it? I tested the hookup wires for voltage and they worked fine, swapped out switch motors and the problem is fixed. Don’t know if the miniture LED indicator lights are good or bad.
Lee F.
when you open them up I would like to know what you find. hopefully only a broken connection.
Have opened the switch machine and it looks like a Tyco H.O. race car motor inside wired to a small circuit board, circuit board don’t look damaged. Jumped off the motor with accessory power from an H.O. train transformer and the motor is good, turns great!!
Any ideas??
Lee F.
sounds like something in the board. I am assuming you checked all the internal connections. contact Dennis at Z stuff. he was very helpful to me. drzander@aol.com
Internal connections are very tiny, extremely difficult to check! Sounds more like an electronic part failed.
Will try to contact Dennis at Z Stuff.
Lee F.