Atlas O Switch problems

The problem is with the switch machine.  At York Atlas told me "most use the Tortoise".

PM me with your phone number, I'll share a few things we do.

I have only 3 rail, no 2 rail, but I have replaced the springs in some and had some success. Others I have replaced the switch machine, these were purchased used. The ones I have replaced seemed like they had lost their solenoid pulling power. When energized they wouldn't go all the way in either direction, yet the switch moved freely. New switch machines fixed the problem. 

These were the #6099 switch machines used on their 3 rail switches. Atlas sells new springs and/or the spring tension can be adjusted. New switch machines are now becoming available also. My LHS is supposed to be getting some in the next week or so.

I had to use a DZ-1000 on one switch that I didn't have room to get the Atlas switch positioned on. It works very well on the one switch I have it installed on. Much smaller and it fit in the space I had available. Those might also be a good option for replacement.

The 3 rail Atlas machines are not the same as 2 rail.

Voltage is a big deal. I operate mine at about 14 volts and they snap back and forth very nicely. At lower voltages they just wouldn't throw all the way. Have since switched to Z machines and prefer those.

I was guessing they were similar enough to share some of the same parts? Also there were, I believe, some 2 rail switch linkages in the new 3 rail switch machines I recently purchased. Going on that, I was thinking they might be interchangeable for 2 or 3 rail? Guess that doesn't seem to be the case here. 

  I use a 14dc volt 500ma wallwart with momentary switches and they work nicely.There is a capacitor circuit that also can be added for that extra safe jolt.

I don't think voltage is the problem. It appears that there is not enough tension in the spring. The spring in these switches is an extremely fine whisker-like piece of metal. That's about the best way I can describe it. 

Tom Tee said it best above.  Go with some other brand.  

That makes them even more different than I had imagined they were.