No combination pair of wires to 16v AC will move the points, one of the possibilities produces a buzz. Next move:
or
or
The pond is currently ruled out of the possibilities for option three’s spectrum, as it has frozen over.
Option 1. I’ve got a few PECO’s, and that’s exactly what happens. They need more of a kick than the Atlas machines.
I googled for a circuit, and built it with about $5 worth of parts from premium-priced Radio Shack. Even though I hadn’t picked up a soldering iron in years, it took me all of an hour to build it. I really like the way all my switch machines now throw with a solid snap. A capacitive discharge circuit also protects the switch machines, by the way.
I have sixty Peco t/o’s on my layout and most have the twin coil switches. In my exp one of two things is happening - not enough kick or the t/o is too tight. I have had many not move but buzz even with a cap disc unit. What you can do is move the spring adj a little bit on the t/o. Just take a small screwdriver and pry gently (verrrrry gently) on the little “T” looking thingy that is wrapped with two small metal bands. You can feel the little adj bumps as it moves. That will lighten the pressure on the t/o. If it is in fact not a power problem then this should do the trick.
Terry[8D]
As an afterthought of the above reply. I use Digitrax DS-54’s for T/O control. I find they provide more than enough juice to throw a Peco t/o properly adj. The new DS-64 can throw up to two twin coil t/o’s on a single output making them great for double crossovers. One push button throws both t/o’s. I started out with cap disc units but found them costly and as it turned out not neccessary. As I don’t have any of the DS-64’s yet I use my hand full of cap disc units for the double crossovers. One output fm the DS-54 goes to the cap disc unit to throw both t/o’s. Saves me one of the outputs for another t/o.
Terry[8D]
As the good doctor might say, “More power, Igor!” (joke). You get this sometimes with underpowered power packs. I was running my HO shelf layout from an old Minitrix power pack for a while until it dawned on me that this was the reason for my switches sometimes not clicking across. I now keep an old H&M power pack specifically for this as while it may not be much use for powering modern locos (it doesn’t go down to a low enough voltage, so they suddenly roar into life at about 5mph rather than easing away) it does have a beefy 16V AC output, so it provides ample power to run switch machines. Interestingly the Peco machines date from a similar vintage to this power pack - I have a few that were used on my dad’s layout in the '70s along with the H&M, all still behave well.
Just to check, but you do have the circuit around the machine set up properly? There should be a pair of wires from the “outer” terminals of the electrical switch to the same side of each coil (call it the left hand side), and a common return on the right hand side (where you need to add a small loop of wire to link both coils together). Power is then supplied through the centre contact of the electrical switch (basing this on the standard momentary-contact toggle switch design). This design puzzled me for many years, though it does make sense when you solder one in for the first time.
There we go. Indeed it did do the trick.
Mr. B., Brit, I’m still looking into the stored up boost the cap discharge circuit will give me, as some of the Atlas number fours still seem a bit lethargic. Two of those get replaced tonight anyway, with the higher end Atlases, and if any still require further intimidation through higher voltage, they ALL get a boost.
Sorta like “Rodgers, that cigarette butt you left on the parade grounds yesterday just cost the whole platoon breakfast and 50 miles. Full packs people, we move out in ten.”
That’ll teach 'em. Jeffers has spoken.
As for the Peco’s, they’ve already straightened right up, no misfires since adjustment.
Thanks, you guys, all of ya.
HOLY COW I actually contributed something. Wooo Hoooo!
I’m gonna go have a beer! Of couse I can’t take credit for it. I read it on this forum a year or so ago.
Terry[:D]
You read about having a beer a year ago? That might have been my suggestion.
jeffers_mz,
I too have about 30 peco points, I bought some Capacitor Discharge Unit to protect the motors and I noticed an immediate slowing of the points changing. I adjusted the spring tension as scubaterry mentioned and it did the trick, but was very lethargic and the changing was a bit hit and miss. I have since change to a new type and WOW do they change with a CRACK! now.
I recommend a CDU and check the output, even if the power pack is lacking a little the CDU will store up the necessary potential to help them change better (if that is the problem?)
I measured the one I have and it has a voltage of about 40 Volts?!
I had a problem with the metal tab being too high and prevented the point from changing, keep that in mind if you buy any new ones and they don’t want to change.
jeffers_mz
THE REASON is ‘Selenoid’ or Twin Coil (Electro-magnet) switch machines need AMPERAGE to do the work. Peco turnout’s especially so.
(1) A Capacitive Discharge unit stores up amp’s - how many depend’s on the size of the Capacitor - and releases the all at once, requiring a second or two to refill. I use 15,000 mfd’s.
(Other) A heavier power source - say 4-5 amps - would have kicked over your PECO also. Think of it like a Sears small screw driver trying to power thru 2" ply.
The switch machine ‘buzz’ was the 60 cycle AC trying to move the Point’s. Any other I will not try to explain.
Misterbeasley - Just got around to reading this thread again. Your post cracked me up! I need more laughs like that. Thanks a bunch. Keep em comin.
Terry[:D]
Hey, Terry, how have you and your lady been? Last we heard, you had her waterlogged cruiser in your driveway, and the trains up on high shelves above the high water from the hurricane. As I recall, you were headed out to the Outback for some dinner. Are the trains running again yet?
MisterBeasley - Other than losing my(our) Harley, saturn and her patrol car we did fine. The RR was all boxed up and high and dry. Back on the pike and have bought 8 more loco’s and probably thirty more rolling stock since. We had a great diner at Outback. Thats the nearest decent rest within 60 miles down here in paradise. The wife just had some major surgery (not work related). So she is home for a while. Her Lt and Sgt surprised her with a brand new patrol car the other day. She had been driving the duty beater for awhile. My latest addition is my new BLI Sw-7 switcher. The horn is awesome. Thinking of getting another for a back up. Take care and thanks for thinking of us.
Terry[8D]
dumb question department…are you sending AC to a DC turnout motor? BTDT-no T shirt!
John:
Electro Magnetic (Twin Coil) Switch Machine’s operate on both momentary AC and DC power. They are not motor’s.
They ‘Buzz’ more on AC.