Lionel 80N Semaphore Internal Wiring

I would check out the artifacts in this post. Knowing how it is supposed to be externally wired hints to the internal wiring. It appears that there would be a post for common ground, and always on post for lighting, and a switched post for the coil to actuate the flag.

https://ogrforum.com/...04#15790232519509404

Thanks, I did check that out yesterday, actually printed them up.  Sorry but it doesn't help me, I'm not an electrical guy.  It was quite expensive and I don't want to take the chance of damaging it.

As stated, a light and coil. Each of these has two wires to operate. Look at them as seperate things just sharing a box.

  Im going to use "hot" and "ground" in hopes you can relate to it, which will be close enough if it helps you understand. But, it is not entirely accurate on A.C. at all times fyi. Getting the basics down is needed before getting very technical; another day, eh?

#1 hole- wire goes from the INSULATED OUTER rail....     (or a later made load sensitve, under track pressure switch connected to both/either the outer rails and the wire goes to the other )(better yet if in doubt, photo your lock ons & intended switch as some are three terminals and may or may not be identically set up) .....from the Ins. Outer rail through #1 hole to the single white covered wire, low on the cover. This turns the coil on and off, by applying or removing the ground to the coil. There is no effect on the lamp here. And the electrical part of the coil does not touch the base in any way.

#2 hole- from center rail terminal of the lock on goes to the double(blk&wht) wire connection on the cover. This gives "hot" to both lamp and coil. (Coil circuit is now ready for on/off,  lamp has a hot but is still ungrounded)

#3 hole- wire goes from the outer rail which is not isolated through #3 hole to the frame of the semiphore. The lamp is connect to the frame at the socket mount giving the light it's ground via frame metal. 

Give me time to edit the above, the composer is throwing fits again.

it has been edited.

I didn't mention the frame ground location because I couldn't see it from the edit screen . I think I see a solder spot on the red frame floor, to the right of the coil by the far right hole., but it's focus is off. SOMEWHERE on the frame there is a solder location OR there is a wire I can't see that goes to the lamp. If there is a single wire going up that I can't see that would be the lamp ground; so connect to the non insulted outer rail.

Make sure no bare wires can hit the weight or plunger rod.

If you have a volt / ohm meter measure the coil resistance too. To do that switch to Ω (move dial to a range 8ohm(Ω) or less, if it doesn't have automatic range, start at 8Ω position, then go lower.  Touch one meter lead to each coil wire and record that. It may help, if there are issues.

Thank you sir.  Written in terminology that I can even understand. Didn’t have many electrical classes in metallurgy. Must have dosed off in physics.  I’m working back to back doubles so I won’t be able to wire it for a couple days. Thanks again. 

  Thank you too. I had to teach young folks with no life experience, let alone electrical. Adults are usually easier, but the persons interest in the repair is often the best motivation for them to succeed. 

Thanks again, it works great!!