New hobbyist, 022 issue with paired switches.

Do you have 2 fiber pins per switch?  One on the straight activation rail and one on the curved activation rail each switch?   Sounds like you're missing a pin on the opposing rails.

I'll double check the pin positions, but they work properly when connected to their own switches. does it make sense that it could still be an issue with the pins?

Try switching the two wires that are connected at the switch that are not the power wire.  

The two outer ones. Not sure if the center one is power or ground. I haven't used 022 switches in ages.

Try unscrewing the bulbs in the controller and test that.

Thanks for the input all,

I'll try switching the outer wires (i believe center is hot), Unscrewing the bulbs in the controller, and verifying the fiber pins.

appreciate all the input.

doug_g posted:

I'm setting up an  o "31" train and want it to be usable by my 4 year old. In trying to prevent a catastrophe, I don't want to rely on the non-derailing feature of the switches if I can avoid it, so i've been trying to wire the switches to one remote when possible.

All switches are connected directly to my ZW using the fixed voltage plugs.

I have switch 1, and 2 successfully working off of one remote control. they both toggle together, non-derail properly.

The issue I'm having is with switch 3 and 4. they both operate properly from one switch, but when you test the non-derailing feature the switches go "crazy" and toggle repeatedly until the power is switched off. Fiber pins are in the same location as switch 1 and 2. and when run off its own remote control they both non-derail properly... at a loss!

Could it be because they are both right hand switches? or something with the crossover?

Thanks for any advice, this forum is a goldmine.

You are talking about the original 022 switches correct? With original 022 switches it is usually a dirt issue or a burned out wire inside the 022 switch. The old 022 switches just need some cleaning, sometimes the switch contacts inside the solenoid are dirty and don't work correctly but they can be cleaned up and act like new.

If you are talking about the newer style switches like the 53xx and 6-23011 series they are different then the original post war switch. The 53xx series has a wire that can burn out inside and cause a short, you must replace the wire. The newer 6-23011 series of switch is very lousy in my opinion.

Lee Fritz

Thanks Lee,

Yes they are original 022 switches. I opened one up and fixed a cold solder joint on one of the derailing tracks (not this switch thats acting up now). the thing that seems weird to me is that they act up when connected together on one remote, but operate perfectly fine independently. 

I'm sure its something I'm overlooking, will take some photos tonight if I'm still lost after running through these fixes.

DOUG, you should use only one switch with one remote control unit as that is how the post war switches are set up to operate. Don't try to daisy chain 2 switches from one remote control as the switches won't see enough resistance to work correctly. Another fact I have found to be true is that the center terminal on the switch solenoid is hooked up to the common rail power so you can test an 022 from the top of the switch housing with the 3 terminals(center post to either outside post and the switch should work) power applied to both the outside rail and center rail. This way you don't have to install a switch on the layout to test it.

Another thing that can go wrong with the post war 022 switches is the constant power pin hook-up piece of copper inside the solenoid can get bent out of shape and not supply the power to the solenoid. The copper pin rest against a small nail like pin and should make contact with the copper strip.

Lee Fritz

Another piece of advice with post war 022 switches; use only the 022 switch remotes, don't use any type of 027 track switches as they are wired differently then the 022 remotes.

Lee Fritz

I use my 022 controllers just fine controlling multiple switches and to do some interesting auto-routing. This setup is described in the period switch instructions. Chances are the outer wires on one switches need to be swapped.

EDIT:

For reference, here are the service documents for the O22 switches: http://www.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=673

Pg 26 shows the basic wiring of O22 switches, pg 27 shows how to interlock the switches:

https://ogrforum.com/f...83860657/Booklet.pdf