How does one check if the solenoid in an 022 switch motor is burned out? I picked up a motor assembly that looks brand new, but it is dead. All the connections, etc are fine. Thanks for any help.
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The service manual for the O22 switch can be found at this LINK. I've not had to check any of mine, but it looks like if you connect the center/ground post to the common/return on your transformer, connect accessory voltage to the booster pin, and jumper from that to either of the end terminals on the frame and coils assembly to see if you get a result. I hope if I'm wrong someone will correct me, but it looks like that should work.
Pete
You could try putting an Ohm meter across each of the coils, both from the wire terminals and on the coil wires them selves. An infinite reading would suggest the coils are 'burned out', or rather broken somewhere. I'm unsure what the 'good' reading should be, an old thread suggests 14-25 Ohms?
JGL
DIOK S,
Remember there are hundreds if not thousands of the old 022 Switches available at most any train show you attend for very minimal cost, IMO I would not bother repairing the switch, just replace it.
PCRR/Dave
I think Texas Pete has the basic test right: one lead to the "booster pin" (fixed voltage stud), and the other to an outside terminal (try both, one at a time).
Be certain to connect to the pin, not the spring clip that rests against it. It is not uncommon for the connection between the spring clip and the pin to be problematic.
If the switch motor doesn't work, then its probably the slide switches that sit right under the frog when the switch is assembled. You could try cleaning them. Some folks recommend bending the contacts- I try to avoid that unless they have already been bent.
I don't think I've seen many 022 switch motors with bad coils. Those contacts (slide switches) prevent the coils from being energized for an extended period.
C W Burfle posted:... I don't think I've seen many 022 switch motors with bad coils. Those contacts (slide switches) prevent the coils from being energized for an extended period.
I don't think I've seen any burned-out coils myself. A common problem is contacts dirty or out of line. I've worked over a couple dozen of O22 switches, all secondhand, some bought as cheap as $1 and needing rusty parts cleaned up.
Thanks for all the help. I am not looking to replace the solenoid. This is just a learning experience to figure out what is wrong. The slides, etc are all like new and the whole thing looks brand new, even unused. Yet, it does not work. I have repaired lots of 022's but his has me stumped. Will fool around with it tonight.
The coil connections are accessible, just measure them and see if they are open. By far the most common failures are either the sliding contacts or the connections between the switch track and the switch motor. Also in the list are the crimp connections under the switch track that develop corrosion and need to be cleaned and soldered.
