I have 6 pairs of 022 postwar switches. I was wondering how you service them?? Like where to oil or lube them, so they snap quickly. I use fixed voltage on all my switches, but wanna make sure they snap into position every time and quickly. Also, what is the best way to clean them up?? Mine are a little dusty. I want them to shine again. thanks for the help.
To clean them up to collect dust you can use paint thinner or wd10/40 with a q tip. Keep the thinner away from the coil. To lubricate the slider I use graphite in isopropyl alcohol it dries black. You can add it on in layers. Remember, graphite is a conductor so don’t lube your way into a short.
Tune up, you have 4 contact brushes that are mounted on a separate spring. Compare the sizes if they are small you may want to replace the part. The metal contacts they touch you can clean with an eraser. You can adjust the spring tension but be careful not to over due it. The brush will wear faster.
Last, there is the little spring that holds the lock bar in place. Don’t loose it and see that it does it’s job.
I also repainted the bottom removal sections and the bottom to some motors because of corrosion. I got rid of the cloth covered wires.
It’s been a while but once I had to remove the light. I grounded down the rivet and replaced it with a small nut and screw. I was never interested in replacing rivets.
Hope this helps.
Bob
while you are at it, make sure the solder connections for the non derailing feature haven’t come apart.
I checked all 12 of my switches and they work great, got all the dust off and cleaned them up a little bit…nice and shiny now…they all snap just fine. Would you say switches are most important when making a permanant layout??? cause with out switches you cant get creative and make turnouts and freight yards, etc.