I’m trying to create a staging yard for my rolling stock but I’m having issues with the 022 switches. Got it all put together and all but 1 switch worked great. 1 was chattering. I’m using a Lionel 80 watt Tran for track power and and old 1025 15.6 volts for switch power. They are phased with common ground. Looked fine then I was getting my switcher ready turned back around and 5 of the 7 switches were dark. No power. I used 22-4 security wire to run power and switch control. Each lead is about 10’. Now I get no power from the switch plug but when I ohm the wire it shows resistance. I’m guessing it’s burnt somewhere. So I’m running new 14awg wire to supply the power to switches but the switches aren’t light up. When I put power to center rail they work. Not sure what I’m doing wrong? I wired 12 fast rack switches this way and they work great. Anyone had this problem? When creating a yard after going through the turnout does the outside ground rail become the inside rail? Not sure what I’m doing wrong pics below.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Your 1025 is only rated for 35 watts input, and you are trying to draw 40+ watts with just the 14 bulbs in the 7 switches & controllers, leaving no room at all to activate a switch.
Makes total sense. Thank you Rob. I’m switching to my American Flyer 30B so I can run switches and train.
Question when putting the switches together in a row do the isolated pins still go in short sections? I’d like to power the yard separate from mainline.
@AdamG posted:Question when putting the switches together in a row do the isolated pins still go in short sections?
Yes, and depending on the arrangement, with power districts, you may find some track connections will have 3 fiber pins across all 3 rails.
@ADCX Rob posted:Yes, and depending on the arrangement, with power districts, you may find some track connections will have 3 fiber pins across all 3 rails.
I did that (insert fiber pins in all 3 rails) when connecting 2 independently powered main lines of track powered by separate transformers that are properly phased.
Great thank you both.