Lionel Command R27 switches

I think you meant to post in the S Scale forum?

Brendan

Do they work when you pull them out of the layout?  Not sure if the 2 rail switches have the ground plane problem the O gauge fastrack switches can have.  Might also check electrical continuity.  I have one of the R27 that has no continuity on one rail on diverging route so it behaves like an insulated piece of track in that direction.

If they are not still under warranty, then I'd try converting them to separate power rather than track power using the instructions in the manual (make sure you're using the latest manual available on the web page; the one that came with all of mine had an error in the image showing the wiring). Otherwise, I'd send them back for service.

I have taken the switches in question off the layout and applied power to the track and still do not work, the controller light will not illuminate, I then direct wired power to the terminals under the switch and did get the controller to work but the switch would not actuate. so it appears they are dead. I decided today to test the two R20 I got last Monday and the first one worked great the second one would only actuate in one direction some type of mechanical binding after approx. 10 actuation  the frog area start to arc, and the unit quit working. I am starting to get concerned that theseCommand control  switches have some type of failure mode that can pop up at any time. I have started to replace some of  my MTH track  in different area of my layout because of all of the track Lionel has come out with I hope I am not making a mistake.

JFC454 you mentioned a ground plane problem can you give me some more info on what is happening?

Ground plane problems can happen when there are multiple parallel tracks or multilayer tracks.  If you test the switches all by themselves and they don't work I would think it isn't a ground plane problem.  The ground plane issues I have had with the O gauge switches still had the lights lit, the switches just wouldn't work at the particular spot in the layout they were located.  Have you checked the continuity of the rails to see if power can pass from one end of switch to the other?  

Yes there is continuity on main line and the siding I have made a set up to test each switch, and the 3 R27 are dead and the R20 seem to have a short.

I also started to test SHS R20 these switches are similar to American Flyer switches where you can isolate the siding with a (switch) what I am finding with these switches which are at least 6 years old that the (switch) is not making contact and there is no continuity on the rail it appears the the contact pressure is not enough to break thru oxidation, this is fixable.  

I have seen this on old American Flyer switches which used a Beryllium Copper slider the gets dirty. however the AF switch are bullet proof compared to the new switches just my opinion. switches 67 years old and they just keep working!

I took the bottom of the R27 Command switch that has an electrically dead rail on the diverging route and found that a spot weld that attaches that rail to a copper strip that routes power to the rail had broken.  If you have a meter, you might consider taking the bottom off the dead switches and see if you can locate an electrical connection problem.

TOY1, the SHS turnouts are very delicate with flimsy internal contacts. I have had to adjust or repair the sliding contacts on all my SHS turnouts. For info, they are not power routing like the Gilbert turnouts with the 2 train operation sliding switch. the SHS turnouts have all rails powered with the slider in one position and both the rails coming off the frog are unpowered with the slider in the other position, regardless of which way the points are thrown. As you pointed out the SHS turnouts are not as reliable and robust as the original Gilbert ones.

I just got an RA number from Lionel today so let's see what they have to say about the switches.

I sent back my switch to Lionel also.  I bought another R27 command switch from Nicholas Smith so I could fill the gap in my layout while I am waiting from Lionel to try to fix the first one.  Switch arrived today and when I checked the continuity of the rails this one has 2 dead rails.  Took the bottom off and I can again see at least one failed spot weld.  Would suggest those who have these switches check for continuity problems.  You might not notice there is a problem if the switch is in a layout position where it can receive power from all ends of the switch, like in a passing siding.  When two problem switches are connected or the problem switch goes to a dead end spur, the lack of continuity is observed.

Just a follow up I got the switches back from Lionel today, they turned them around in a week and a half which I was very happy with that performance.

The repair sheet stated 1 switch stated contact bent interfering with operation straightened,contact 

the other 3 stated contacts broke loose they reseated them more securely.

tomorrow I will put power to them and see what I get.

I am going to have to take one apart completely so I understand how they work they are complex switches  with the command control feature.

 All is well today hooked them up and they all worked as advertised.

I did take another one I had that was sluggish in one direction, what I found on that one is the mechanism that moves the directional lantern has a U slot that is molded in plastic and  a mating part that rides in that slot it appears when it was assembled some did not align it, so I put it back together and the unit works fine. 

Well, this thread re-enforces my thinking of using ACG switches when I build my layout. I have a nice "stash" of them, and I know how to repair them. It is disappointing that with all the advances we have made, robust engineering/manufacturing apparently did not follow along.

I did not mean to trash these switches I think my post is to inform viewers that it appears there are could be some issues with them, Lionel repaired them fast and they now work fine, I will say that while these switches are more complex then the 720a of AC Gilbert time period, they do represent a leap forward in which they are command control switches. I have not even gotten to that point all I am doing is replacing all of my R20 SHS switches with these.

I did purchase 3 more switches last weekend at the Amherst show and they all worked fine. So I would definitly give them a try they do operate very well and the largest of my engines go thru them without an issue.