Skip to main content

I still use some of these bad boys on my layout. As you can imagine, they are quite noisy with 18 volts running through them.

I know of the switch modification for fixed power, but would this solve my problem? 

Also, do my transformers need to be in "phase"?

 It's not a huge deal, but just something I wanted to look in to.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Hi Cleartracks01,

 

There's no need to change your switches.  Running them off a separate transformer at less than 18 volts is a good idea for the switch motors, light bulbs, and DCS signal quality.  You will need to phase the transformers and connect the common terminals to maintain automatic non-derailing.  The switch motors will be quieter at 12 to 14 volts than at 18, but tubular switches are never really quiet.

If you're using older tubular switches, I actually recommend not going down to 12 volts, many of them don't switch reliably at that voltage.  I run 022 switches and their close relatives at 16 volts for positive operation.  When I recondition them I test them at 12 volts, but after they're in use for a spell, that may be too low.

 

This advice is for Lionel PW tubular switches, other brands will likely have different requirements.

Cleartracks01: I used to have 35 Lionel tubular O27 profile switches - both 27" and 42".  I'm not sure which type you have, but by your 'noisy' comment I would guess that yours too are Lionel O27 profile.

 

I wired all of mine for external power, mostly to help improve my DCS signal by not having it travel thru the coils.  But that doesn't do much to quell the noise though when trains run thru them because the auto-derail still kicks in each time a wheel set activates it.

 

I learned from a "forum friend" on CTT how to wire them up to eliminate the buzzing and I did that to 8 of them, but it was too costly for me. 

 

I now run K-Line new low-profile O27 switches and there is no "noise".

 

- walt

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

It's not so much the buzz as the smoking coils if you park on them too long.

 I never park on switches. Its just something I don't do. Not for any particular reason either. I've just never parked on a switch.  But, for the sake of my curiosity, how does one perform this capacitive discharge mod?

Originally Posted by Penn-Pacific:
Originally Posted by Cleartracks01:

I've done my first one, and its wonderful.

Since I don't use my switches all that much, I can just shut them off when I'm not using them, and the buzz is gone

pictures, we want pictures of the modifications, please...

I didn't feel like going up to the layout, I felt like getting creative. Here is a quick diagram that I drew up on autocad. Hopefully it makes sense to you, as I tried to put everything in layman's terms. 

switch diagram

Attachments

Images (1)
  • switch diagram
Originally Posted by Cleartracks01:
Originally Posted by Penn-Pacific:
Originally Posted by Cleartracks01:

I've done my first one, and its wonderful.

Since I don't use my switches all that much, I can just shut them off when I'm not using them, and the buzz is gone

pictures, we want pictures of the modifications, please...

I didn't feel like going up to the layout, I felt like getting creative. Here is a quick diagram that I drew up on autocad. Hopefully it makes sense to you, as I tried to put everything in layman's terms. 

switch diagramthat works, thanks for posting the pics, I'm gonna try to modify a couple of 027 switches I've got lying around and see if I can eliminate the dreaded coil-burning buzz.

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

I tried to link directly, but it didn't work, so I downloaded and uploaded it.  It was posted here in OGR.

Thanks for posting this, this is great. The switch buzzing is the reason I got into gargraves track with 0-gauge switches to begin with. (with a couple of Gargraves/ Ross switches thrown in) The Gargraves switches, however, aren't very "slide-shoe friendly".

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

I tried to link directly, but it didn't work, so I downloaded and uploaded it.  It was posted here in OGR.

I should have put my name, and the fellow's name that taught me how to do it, in the article somewhere

 

john, you know that I'm in no way offended that you're distributing the article with no credits.  In fact, I'm glad it's helping people - that is THE purposed for it, right?

 

I'll count Cleartracks01 reference in my tally of how many people have used the article.  OGR never wanted it.

 

- walt

Post
The DCS Forum is sponsored by

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×