Lionel Fastrack switch "crackling sound"

Joe K,

   Are you sure your switch is the problem, might try replacing the track on both sides of the switch and see what happens.

PCRR/Dave

never heard "crackling" described before. Chatter, when the arm inside doesn't completely close the micro-switch or cherry switch as Lionel parts calls it.

Are you crossing from one to another power district at this switch?

Is the switch track powered or separate power?

The switch is powered by an auxiliary transformer (1033).

The track on both sides of the switch is in the same power district.

Joe K

I'm with Dave on this one, check the track connections from piece to piece.  I use FasTrack for carpet loops, so it gets put together and taken apart quite a bit.  When the track connections get loose, I can start to hear crackle noises.  Pinching the rails or swapping one of the pieces out usually fixes it.  What it is is the sound of the electricity jumping/arching the slight air gap between the joining rails.  If the air is dusty (Like it always is here in Arizona.) it'll happen more as it's 'cooking' the dust particles as it travels through the gap.

I had same issue with 072 Wye. Replaced the track at both ends and still had the issue. There was also a dead spot as the train went through going to the left it would stall. I pulled of the back and checked the wiring. I could not find anything wrong. Since it had a board in it I suspect that's were the issue is at. I just finally pulled the turnout from the layout.  

Doug

One of my switches exhibited a similar issue with chatter. It would eventually blow the fuse. You must check the factory wiring.

1) There is a post on OGR detailing a wiring issue with pictures. I would search for it,

2) My switch would also chatter when a train past over the switch. After repairing the fuse that over a period of time would blow. I hooked up the switch using 2 clip leads to the rails that would supply track power to the switch. (Jumper in track mode.) 

I was amazed the switch did not receive power. I then decided to try aux power. There

was still no life to the switch. I finally found that the 3 connectors where the track/aux jumper goes where wired 180 out. So, before I corrected the issue. I put the switch back into the layout, I assume there was some kind of feed back. As the switch worked and chattered. When it didn't work stand alone...I orientated the wires in the proper orientation. It been working flawless.

Check the wiring against another switch or the post with pictures.