Fast track switcher problem

I'm assuming all the insulation pins for the non-derailing mechanism are in place......

Peter

Hi Could you be more specific?Are you talking about the small track sections with jumper wires?

Hi Could you be more specific?Are you talking about the small track sections with jumper wires?I read the book and nothing about insulating pins?

First of all, welcome to the Forum.

I do not use Fastrack, so I can't speak directly to your issue. However, let me suggest a couple of things.

Peter is referring to the type of "track pins" that do not conduct electricity. Each section of track has track pins in all three rails. Automatic switches have several that are made out of plastic or Fibre, as non-conducting materials, that allow the circuit to be hit, causing the switch to be automatically thrown, when metal train wheels hit the insulating track pin. This is very old technology (dating back to the '50's, at least) and I am assuming that Fastrack switches work the same way. Here is a thread that discusses them:

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12129987919691485

More importantly, I think you  should do two things:

1) Amend the title of your thread to something like "Need help with a Fastrack switch on my layout" or something similar, so you will draw responses from people that have some expertise with Fastrack;

2) You may want to post your inquiry also in the Electrical sub-forum, because that's where a lot of the electrical gurus hang out, and you may get significant help there.

Good luck with sorting out your issue!

By the way, I assume you have this, but, if not, here is a manual from Lionel in .pdf format, relating to Fastrack switches. It may be of some help:

http://www.lionel.com/media/se...s/57056712045250.pdf

Thanx Jay Jay I took your advise and re posted in the electrical section.I have read the book several times.Just explains how to go from track power to independent power feed doesn't call for insulated pins either.

OK...I hope the Fastrack experts out there chime in!

The insulated pins (since FasTrack "pins" are built in) to use the non-derailing feature are not required for FasTrack, the insulators are integrated into the rails.  If you look closely at the 2 inner rails shortly before the point where the 2 diverging routes connect to the next piece of track, you probably will notice them.

The jumper wires you are referring to on the small fitter pieces are for the center rail and should only be disconnected if you need to break the track into different electrical blocks at that point.

Welcome, BTW, and this is indeed a very odd problem.  Since you say it has blown multiple boards, I 'm assuming when you replaced it the first time you replaced the whole unit and not just the board (since  I don't know if they are even available).  That sort of reduces the chances of it being a defect in the switch itself since it would be very unlikely for the same flaw to exist in 2 units.

-Dave

Thanx Dave.Yes they were two separate units.I bench tested them before installing.They worked perfect.The end result is the switch buzzes and will not operate.

I'm having trouble figuring out how you could blow a switch like that.  The only thing that comes to mind is you have multiple transformers and you're feeding an out-of-phase power to the yard section.

Mr John...I am only running one side of a zw for track power.I feed the track in about 10 places.All the feeds come back to a buss terminal.I will double check to see that all the tracer wires go to the center rail and the common goes to the outer.I have a bunch of other switchers and they all work perfect as is.Thanx.