Hello All,

Has anyone else had problems with the reliability and operation of the c track double slip switch 24624?

I am not referring to the problems that plague the 74491 motors which we all know about ( although I am still not sure how to short them ).

The problems I have is that they sometimes do not change all the way at all 4 points--so 3 of the 4 frogs are pointing straight and one frog is curved. Or the switch is set for straight and half the train goes over it and for some reason the frog then goes to the middle and the rear half of the train branches off causing a crash.

I have place 3 of them in a very high traffic area of the layout and will likely change them out as I am having problems with all 3.

I am using a CS2 coupled with computer software, but even when I take them out and check them with good ole analog they still sometimes do not set all the way.

Any tips, suggestions, advice is very welcome.

Thanks

Laxman

I am using a soft brush to remove dust and the "universal degreaser" for the points the brush cannot access.

Whatever works for you.

On my double slip it is definitely a case of too much friction in the mechanism. The solenoid is not strong enough to pull all four blades over firmly even when it was brand new and straight out of the box. A little bit of lubricant helps to free the mechanism.

Ray, Paul, and Foumaro,

Thanks for the suggestions. They are all relatively new (less than 3 mos) so I doubt they are particularly dirty.

I don't have them screwed down but have mounted them on the black track tack stuff I use to stick the c track to the foam, but am careful about no stickiness under the turnouts to interfere.

I sense that the problems are related to Ray's suggestion that there might be too much friction for the solenoid. Also sometimes it will just buzz/hum and have a very weak throw.

The one thing that gets me is that sometimes, as I stated before, they seem all set, straight for example and half the train goes over ok and then the frog must slip and the back half of the train branches out. It is almost like the frogs are not 'locked in place" and are able to drift into the middle. ( Almost like a regular turnout would do with a weak spring (although M uses plastic now) after running a train against the turnout frogs. (maybe the solenoid only gives a 75% throw??)

I will fiddle with them and let you know. I am leaning towards removing them as every train leaving or entering my main central station has to pass through them (either straight or branched)

Laxman

My dad has a double switch too. There is a lot of mechanism to move. All the above suggestions are good. The Teflon spray may be the most effective but use oil very sparingly or else you will get gummed up later.

If you run the switch power from the track, then I think that maybe you maybe starting to overload your booster/transformer. You can either view the current consumption on your CS2. If it is at 70% then it is time to get another transformer/booster or separating the switch power.

Those switches draw a lot of power for a short time and it you are near the limit of the transformer, there may be enough drop in voltage to not throw the switch.

Another way to tell is by taking all or almost all the loks off and see if the situation improves.

I wouldn't be surprised to find it is a batch problem, if you bought them all at the same time. It would only need something to disrupt the flow of heating water in the plastic mold in the factory for the mold to not heat properly or cool unevenly to produce a plastic piece that is ever so slightly deformed and hence rubs somewhere it shouldn't, or has too much flexibility where it shouldn't, and hence reduces the throw in the point.

Before putting the Teflon grease in make sure you have cleaned any oil out of the mechanism. Oil and plastic together are anathema and will stick the parts together rather than let them slide. You must use a lubricant designed for plastic if going down this route.

Alan

That is a good thought. I did purchase all four at the same time from the same dealer so I am sure they are all from the same batch.

Roger

I am not familiar with powdered graphite. How does it come (as a powder an aerosol)? How do you apply it? What else can it be used for? Where do you get it?

Thanks

Laxman