Ok I am putting together my first O gauge layout. I opted for Fastrack and liked how it went together. I was happy until I was done and noticed that 2 of the 036 RH switches had non-functioning LED signals at the switch. Of course one I have to crawl up on the table for. The switches are not on track power. All of my other switches and there are several of them work just fine. I returned to the hobby store and picked up 2 more 036 RH remote switches. Guess what the LED’s on those did not work either. Now I know what your thinking, whats wrong with this guys wiring. I thought the same thing. So I moved a switch I knew was working over to one of the problem locations. LED worked just fine. Keep in mind, the switches work fine, the problem is only the LED. So alas I am returning to the hobby store tommorow to get 2 more 036 RH remote switches. What gives here, Is Lionel having a problem with LED’s on there 036 switches, specfically RH? The LH 036 I have works great and no problems with any of the 048 or 060’s I have. Any comments would be appreciated. I am frustrated and my knees are sore!
Why not ask the LHS to test the switches before you leave? If the LEDs do not work then ask them to test a LH switch… you could also call Lionel Support… they would probably ship the LEDs at no charge. http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/Findex.cfm you can get the phone number here.
The LED at the switch stand is just a white LED. It doesn’t change colors like the ones in the contoller’s, the lantern rotates to indicate direction by color change. Have you tried testing the switch off of the layout, aka just by itself? Put the track power jumper tab in and hook up the switch to a section of powered track and see if the LED works. If it does, carefully check the wire/connection for AUX ground on the switch. The small clamp connectors are a bit of pain, particularly when using stranded wire (I usually tin the ends). The LED’s are not user replaceable, they should last a very, very long time.
Odds are pretty high that if there is a problem, it isn’t with the LED itself but with the driver circuit or wiring. LEDs themselves have a pretty low failure rate - unless they are overdriven.
Are you sure the voltage being supplied the switch is not too high?
You cannot overdrive the LEDs. There is a voltage regulator in the switch.
What you need to check is the mounting of the switch stand/LED extension to the switch.
Lionel uses a neat little sprung bronze contact system to connect the power from the switch base to the switch stand/LED lantern. Remove the screws per the instructions as if you were going to switch the switch stand/LED to the other side of the switch. Check the bronze connections to make sure they will make good contact. Re-install the switch stand/LED and make sure the screws are snug. I suspect this is the problem as I have had it happen several times and 4 in a row is unlikely (but certainly possible).
The LEDS are replaceable if you like a nice challenge (tiny wires and difficult asembly) and have a small heat controllable soldering iron and a replacement 3mm white LED. I have done 2 so far as I did not have the time to take the switches back and we had a layout to deliver.
I would suggest that if these LEDs themselves do fail on occasion that they are almost certainly being overdriven, whether by original circuit design or oversight.
Hopefully the Fastrack LED driver is a current regulator and not a voltage regulator. An LED can easily go into thermal runaway and subsequent failure with increasing current despite being fed a constant voltage.
I have 6 Fastrack switches purchased just before Christmas. No problems with any of them so far on track power at 18v.