Atlas Switches

As was suggested under the track planning section of the forum, it is best to break the problem down into smaller pieces. Start by testing the turnouts with the controllers only; without the AIU. Try to find out what works and what doesn't before drawing any conclusions.

It is possible that the AIU ports have been reprogrammed to be of the latching variety rather than the momentary contact type that works well for solenoid driven switch machines. You haven't told us much about how you've setup your wiring but simplifying the arrangement might be helpful. Let us know more about what you've tried and maybe we can get to the bottom of this.

  Ok sure I am not much with electric but followed the DCS diagram for wiring Atlas to AIU. All the switch turnouts I have power from the z4000 going to a mth block. Have Pos. and Neg. power from block goes to control switch buttons, I connected all the buttons as to eliminate extra wire .  I used 22 gauge alarm wire from my control buttons (red blue black) to my switch (red blue black) and alarm wire (red Blue) to my AIU:  1=red  2=blue and "in" is wire from block positive side (red).    The # 1 red and #2 blue wire from AIU goes to switch red and blue.  Enclosed some pics to show wiring set up.  The other 6 switches work but last night some started to get hot ?  I'am lost lol.  Thanks!

Thanks for the explanation and pictures. As far as I can tell, it all looks good. The yellow wire on controller number 2 is odd but I'm sure you've got that covered.

There is one question that I have regarding the controller setup. I understand that they are linked together by the side connections to have power and ground throughout the series. But the initial controller (number 1) that has the wires to the side connections doesn't seem to match the rest of your color code scheme. The top connector should get positive (RED) and the bottom should get AC ground (BLACK). This would seem to be setup backwards. Could you check that out?

At this point, I'd disconnect the AIU wires one group at a time to find out if the controller switches are working as they should. Just remove the RED #1 and BLUE #2 from each port of the AIU, test the turnouts with the controller buttons, make a list of which ones don't work, and then put the AIU wires back in place. Remember to keep the AIU wires separated and away from other electrical connections while doing the tests.

Then tell us how things went.

Well I think I found out my problem.  I decided to look at the underneath of the switch and check the soldering connections of the motor plunger looked good but then when I took the plunger out I saw that the positive wire was broken ! the wires are so thin I din't notice it the first time, The same wire was broken in the same place as the other  go figure.  Now I need to re solder the wire hoping to find the broken wire on the motor plunger.  Hopefully this is the fix. Thanks for your help,  enclosed the pic of the broken wires at top right.

That makes sense. The fact that it would change in only one direction and then seem to be stuck there adds up to what you've found. Good going!

FWIW, when you have everything working OK, I would go back and shorten those AIU wires so there is minimal exposed copper, ideally the insulation is almost right up to the AIU terminal block.  But you may have already done this, so then never mind!

Yes  RRMAN I did those the other day and I daisy chained the power "IN" to each AIU to clean up the wires to the block.  Thanks for the input I  can use the help