When I wire my switches (per the Lionel instructions) for separate/direct accessory power the rest of the track also powers up. Obviously, I'm doing something wrong but I'm new and somewhat lost. The Lionel video says to hook up both hot and ground wires while their online directions only say hot. I did the former.
Any advice/help would be appreciated!
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Did you remove the slide-in jumper under the switch?
What transformer(s) are you using for track and switch/accessory power? If you are using a CW-80, post the date code from the bottom.
Yes.
Checked what I did vs. the video several times.
I'm going to test it without the ground. If that doesn't work, I'm stumped.
What transformer(s) are you using for track and switch/accessory power? If you are using a CW-80, post the date code from the bottom.
It's a ZW-L.
Don't use the ground connection... instead rely on the common return through the track, or for testing off the layout connect the ground to an outside running rail(not a trigger rail) of the switch.
Remove the jumper and set it aside. Connect/touch the accessory voltage(set to about 12 volts for testing) lead to each of the three terminals(AUX IN, TRACK JUMPER, & AUX GND) one at a time in order. Your results should be, in order, 1)switch powered, no power to track 2)track powered, no power to switch 3)short circuit.
If you get these results, but in a different order, the reason may be that the switches were wired wrong internally. There have been reports of this with O-72 & other FasTrack switches. If this is the case, you will have to ignore the labeling and go with the terminal that provides power to the switch, no power to the track, for accessory powering, & re-label the terminals.
Thanks Rob, I'll try that tomorrow. I removed the ground from all four switches and the result was the same. On one switch the switch light was unlit. Maybe that implies it's the problem one. They are, in fact, all O-72 Fastrack switches.
Thanks Rob!!!
I would never have guessed that the jumper and aux terminals were reversed, but that was it.
I don't feel as stupid as I did yesterday. 
Thanks again!
Unfortunately not made in America.
Yup, & 5 years later this issue is still bringing up inquiries on the forum.
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