Lionel Fastrack Switches and track voltage limited

Law of conservation of energy says if you are dropping 5V at some unknown amperage- put it this way- enough to see track voltage sag, you would be smoking components. Basic power rules, power in = power out- somewhere. You cannot drop 5 volts and not heat something up. I would say your measurement is flawed as again, if it was electronic- there would be melting wires and smoke out of that Fastrack switch. So no, that's not normal, nor do I suspect that's real. Again, that track jumper connects to the screw terminals, but internally to something like #24 or even #28 internal wiring, and that would smoke if it had the ability to lower the actual AC voltage (shorting and thus seeing the resistance between your ZW and the point of track you are measuring). There is nothing in a Fastrack switch to limit voltage to the track. Internally the logic of the motor section of the switch is regulated to 5V DC from track power. But that does nothing to basic track voltage.

First step for me with Fastrack switches.  Take the bottom plate off and solder ALL the crimped track connection that have anything to do with conducting power anywhere.  That would be any of the connections that have either wires attached or straps that are functional conductors.  Once I've done this, Fastrack switches are MUCH more reliable.

How many switches are you adding?  LED’s do not consume much power but all the same, they do consume power.  I have just finished building a toy train layout for an individual where one of the loops have a reversing loop in which the non derailing feature is what throws the switch automatically.  Even though this loop only contains the 2 power switches, there is some voltage drop of about 1.5 volts and when the switch throws to the required position, there is a momentary additional drop.  All of his other switches are powered by a dedicated transformer so that they are not pulling power from the trains.

Spike, I don't think the power draw of the Fastrack switch can account for this kind of issue.  The switch with the remote attached draws about 60ma for the LED's and the electronics powered by 18VAC.  It only spikes slightly when the tiny motor is actuated to move the switch points, that happens so fast that I'd probably have to connect the 'scope to actually see what that current is.

Yes, I'd start with GRJ's suggestion to solder all jumper plates:

I'd also run a drop from your power buss to the "aux gnd" and "track jumper" terminals

John,

Do you solder all of your Fastrack switches or just the ones acting up?

Thanks

If you're installing them permanently in a layout, I'd solder all of them.  Once all the track is laid and tied down, it's a PITA to take a switch out for repair.

Thanks all for your help.  As I suspected this voltage drop in not normal.  Jetguy:  I did not see any evidence of overheating.  The club can run the layout for the next show without powering the switch machines.  After that will investigate more and post any results.