The slip switch I installed from Atlas in my track to flop the engines back & forth on alternating loops sparks on the MTH Proto 2 Shay. It sparks some on the MTH Loggers Climax as well, but pretty severe on the Shay. The switch is powered by a couple of small capacitors, relays, diodes, etc. ( thanks to Bob Nelson ). Anyone know why this switch might spark? Thanks to all, Jake
PS. 3 rail Atlas track, powered by a PW ZW, quick blow fuses on both sides of the leads coming from the transformer and between the track and the AIU.
Are there signs of arcing on the tracks ? Some of my engines will do this and some won’t on some of the atlas switches when I run at the museum. Most times it is a matter of determining where the arcing is occurring and insulating that particulr spot on the track, normally the outside rail, with a short & narrow strip of electrical tape. I have heard of other people even using a thin coating of clear nail polish or epoxy, of course for this to adhere properly the track would have to be extremely clean.
I’ll check the track tomorrow to see if there are sparking areas on the switch. Thanks much, Jake
I somehow lost my old name & information. Can someone direct me where to get this back? Says I just joined now, but I’ve been here for a bit! Thanks Jake
Click HERE to have your password mailed to you(I just did it for you). Your user name is “Fred Bear”… no quotes, one space. Go HERE to log in with your user name & password.
Rob
Can you tell whether the arcing is at the outside or inside rails?
I’ve not had a chance to look at it yet, but I’ll take a peek later today and see where the arcing is taking place. Jake