I am currently buidling the controldesk and I have some trouble with a particular K-track switch motor. The switch can be trown back and forth a few times without problem before it gets "stuck". The switch motor is not strong enough to thro the switch back.

Any suggestions?

Yeah mate ,as Henrick said check the operation of the moving parts.
Use a fine screw driver to move it manualy.Does it feel free? Need a clean? A drop of lubrication?
Is the solenoid hotter then normal after a couple of tries?

Is is below baseboard? if so, give up, they are nothing but trouble. I have a number of turnouts mounted that way and one of my next tasks is to redo them and mount the switch motor upside down and above the baseboard. The underside of the motor which is now uppermost can be landscaped to blend it into the trackside landscape. The silly wire pin mechanism of the below baseboard mounts is hopelessly under-designed.

I also have a tip for moving the switch manually if you are unable to get to the switch from below..
http://layout.mixmox.com/1/Switch_motor_thread

Thanks for all replies

I have been ill since tuesday and have not been able to work on the layout. I hope to investigate the problem further during next week. I'll let you know how things work out.

Hi all,

this evening I investigated the problem further. The turnout is placed just inside the tunell, so I had to gently remove the entrance in order to access the turnout. I first vacumed the turnout without any improvement. I removed the solenoid and tried to move the tongues back and forth. Even if it is a brand new turnout they kept moving back when I moved them in one direction. After lubricating all moving parts the situation improved drastically, and now the turnout works just fine

Hi Stein,

I thought about using silicone spray or 5-56, but ended up using Märklin oil. Time will show if it was a wisw choice [:I]

Yes. They work great. I buy the Marklin underboard mounting kit and throw most of the parts away. I attach the above board parts (the little tab that clips into the switch mechanism and the box that covers the mechanism) and run the Tortoise up through the hole. Works great. Top reliability, but they are a bit noisy. They also take up a lot space underboard, so if you have a passing track below the switch you can't use them.

You do realize that you need to drive them with a constant on device such as a k84 or equivalent, not a momentary power like the k83. You also have to build a rectifier bridge since the motor is DC.

I bought another brand motor which is smaller and sounds more quiet on the test bench, but have not as yet had a chance to install it. Maybe next week. I don't recall the manufacturer and am not at home right now. I will post it when I get home.

Thank you all for the good tips...
rschaffr: good suggestion to keep the above parts. I know I should give to this motor continuous DC power; I think that a relay could be a good solution.
jte: your idea is GREAT [:p]! I will look at your homepage and try to build one of them!

Not a bad idea. Also quieter. I'll have to look into that. I have a few placed I'd like to put a Tortoise, but I don't have underboard clearance. That would solve the problem.

BTW, I installed that other type motor (can't recall the name right now) and I don't like it. It moves too fast, almost as fast as a solenoid switch. But it does ahve less "underhead" and where I used it a tortoise would not fit, so it stays.