Questions about Atlas O-54/72 Curved Turnouts

My experience with this switch is, check for power in the center rail sections.  May find a dead gap.  Your power in and out is sound.

you next challenge will be the guard rail gap too big allowing the pilot to ride up the point of the frog.  Threads on that are in the forum.

by the way, I used scotchbrite on the center to clean it up better.

You might be getting momentary shorts. There are threads on this also.  They were so problematic I eventually pulled them from my layout.

WALMART TOM posted:

You might be getting momentary shorts. There are threads on this also.  They were so problematic I eventually pulled them from my layout.

@WALMART TOM That would be a shame, I have a small 12X10 layout and those switches drastically changed my trackplan for operation in a positive way. So when you removed the curved turnouts from your layout did you replace with straight O-54's?   

I feel your pain, I have two on my layout (Even after a guy from Atlas warned me that I should avoid using them if possible as they are problematic with many smaller locomotives.) because I just wouldn't be able to do what I wanted without them.  I have put drops on all three sides and that has helped with many issues.  I also plan to add tethers to all my steam locomotives which will address most of the other issues I have.  I also need to put something on the end of the points closest to the frog to isolate them so I stop getting shorts.  And then the last issue I have is pickup rollers dropping and then shorting out, so I'm going to design and 3D print some pieces that are rail height to fill in the gaps so that the pickup rollers don't fall anymore (Which I also have issues with on some locomotives and O54 switches.).  Even though the newer Atlas switches are well made, there will always be a couple that need some extra TLC to get you years of faith use.

Fireball R.R.  Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I just saw your reply.  I eliminated the siding because using #5's (or 54 in) would have rendered it just about useless for what I had intended.

On #1, yes. Power should run up to each of the three approaches , not thru the turnout.  Each turnout represents a series of internal connections that can weaken.. connection=resistance (esp. vs wire) but less and/or more sturdy connections are best for delivery.

  Electricity will always choose the easiest path offered; so offer the surest thing when you can

I couldn't hear things well. Crackle? An electrical crackle or mechanical chatter? I'm thinking adding a capacitor and/or trying diode(s) across the coil, maybe a relay; the easiest ways to stop chatter.

The crackle could be shorts as noted; but also is it more prevalent on a powered leg or non-powered rail leg? A drop on all three legs may stop or at least minimize it. 

Testing in total darkness; any electrical crackling will also likely be accompanied by plasma light steaks or sparks that you won't see if the lights are on.