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#Post#: 384--------------------------------------------------
Engine shorts out on new switches
By: Dennis Gauge Date: November 21, 2013, 9:10 pm
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I added two brand new switches to my layout, Lionel 5021 manual
switches, to make a turnaround.
Every time the engine goes over one of the new switches, it
shorts out and trips the breaker in the transformer.
Once the engine is pushed off the switch, it operates just fine.
It has no problems on any of the old switches on the track,
which are just older 5021's and 5022's. Just the new ones.
Any ideas? I can't really see anything different about the new
switches.
#Post#: 385--------------------------------------------------
Re: Engine shorts out on new switches
By: Oscalerail Date: November 25, 2013, 6:11 pm
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First of all, go ahead and clean the switch with a tad of track
clean and a track eraser. Next use the track eraser to clean the
pickup rollers on your train. Once you have done this, check to
see if your track works with a different engine. Afterwards, if
the switch has an external power input, wire it to a spare
transformer. Remember to check the manual! ;)
#Post#: 393--------------------------------------------------
Re: Engine shorts out on new switches
By: Dennis Gauge Date: November 28, 2013, 10:18 am
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Thanks for the suggestions.
These are MANUAL switches, and they came with a small 1/4-page
set of instructions which basically said, "install them."
The switches are brand new, and there is no sign of corrosion.
In fact, the locomotive rolls right over the rusty old switches
(same model).
I don't have another locomotive to try.
#Post#: 455--------------------------------------------------
Re: Engine shorts out on new switches
By: TrainLarry Date: December 21, 2013, 6:53 pm
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If you are still having problems, try swapping an old switch for
one of the new switches. If the problem follows the switch, then
you will need to look closely at the switch. Run the locomotive
over the switch slowly and watch the roller pickup to see if it
shorts out the fat center rail (frog rail) to the curved swivel
rail. This seems to be a common problem with some locomotives
with long rollers.
Larry
#Post#: 456--------------------------------------------------
Re: Engine shorts out on new switches
By: Dennis Gauge Date: December 21, 2013, 7:03 pm
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That's exactly what it was.
It took upgrading to a CW-80 transformer to figure out what was
going on. The old classic 40W transformer didn't have enough
output to make marks on the track.
Once I had marks on the track it was a simple fix: The
locomotives were shorting out on the point of the frog rail.
Strategic pieces of black duct tape cured the problem.
#Post#: 457--------------------------------------------------
Re: Engine shorts out on new switches
By: TrainLarry Date: December 21, 2013, 7:25 pm
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Glad the problem is solved. You can never have too much power.
You will always find ways of using it. As your layout expands,
you will need to upgrade your transformer again. Enjoy your
trains.
Larry
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