Sluggish Atlas O Switches

Jim,

Up the gauge of the wiring  or double up first.

Also run only parallel  feeds to all switch tracks.

Good luck, John

14 volts is the minimum per the instructions. Try another output and go to 16 or 18 volt.

Rod Miller

Are they new or used? I have purchased some used ones that had problems with the throw bars and throw bar linkages and some had weak switch machines. I was able to get parts from Atlas and repair them all. I did replace a couple of the switch machines. They have all been working very well since being repaired. That was about 2 years ago.

I use 18 volts for my Atlas switch machines on my layout. I have also experimented with DC power on them and they appeared to work slightly better with DC. I was able to get some of the older weak switch machines to work on DC that wouldn't quite throw all the way with AC. However they are now working just fine on the layout since I repaired them and I probably won't try switching to DC as long as everything is working so well. I plan on buying new switches from now on though, I have not had any problems with any I have purchased new.

Sounds like they are not getting enough power.  So as John and Rod recommend, better gauge wire and higher voltage are a great place to start.  Another avenue is to look at at a capacitive discharge unit.  This really helped me for my really long runs and has the added benefit of preventing the motors from burning out if you have a short or accidentally hold down the control too long.  I went with a Miniatronics one for my Atlas switches and haven't looked back.

(Note:  You can't use a capacitive discharge unit with DZ motor based switch machines like you can get with Ross switches, as the CD units only put out DC and DZ expects AC.  So plan accordingly if you have a mix of machines.)

romiller49 posted:

14 volts is the minimum per tgr instructions. Try another output and go to 16 or 18 volt.

Rod Miller

tgr? another acronym I do not know.

The tgr is supposed to be "the". Too late to change it once posted.

Rod Miller

Yes you can edit your reply Rod!

After you post the first option under 'Take Action' is 'Edit'. I have to use it regularly and then still sometimes find typos later on. 

That sounds like the performance I had until I went to 18 volts. Also doesn't hurt to elevate the track a little under the throw with a shim so the throw has some breathing room. I have purchased plenty of used switches over the years. I check the switch machine off the table to make sure it snaps back and forth and to make sure it's clean inside and out. In some cases I toss the machine and get a DZ1000.

romiller49 posted:

The tgr is supposed to be "the". Too late to change it once posted.

Rod Miller

Sorry Rod

I really thought you were using an acronym that I didn't know. I wasn't being facetious.