Why do I have to have plastic pins on the outside rails for My switches to work? I just have switches connected to constant voltage with one piece of track on each connection.
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Link to 022 switch instructions. The insulating pins are necessary for the non-derailing function to operate.
If I take the insulating pins out and put steel pins in the switches won’t work they just sit and rattle back and forth. I didn’t have a full set of track, just the 3 pieces of track. Would that make the difference? Sorry for all the questions, but I haven’t used these trains in 56 years!l
BIGBILL: The plastic pins keep the AC common away from the specially wired inside rails of the switch. Even with just 3 pieces of track, if you have power to those tracks, you don't want AC common to attach to those special switch rails. So, yes, that would make a difference.
If plastic pins were in the wrong tracks of the switches are they ruined? Seems like no matter where I put constant voltage plug wire too, it draws current from the track controller. I can’t believe that I could do this when I was 12, now I’m 70 and completely lost even with the internet and You Tube. Maybe I should give up and when I’m gone My kids can figure it out!!
Bigbill posted:If plastic pins were in the wrong tracks of the switches are they ruined? Seems like no matter where I put constant voltage plug wire too, it draws current from the track controller. I can’t believe that I could do this when I was 12, now I’m 70 and completely lost even with the internet and You Tube. Maybe I should give up and when I’m gone My kids can figure it out!!
Nothing is harmed except listening to the points bang back and forth. When inserted, the constant voltage plug opens a contact away from the center pin so a fixed AC voltage from transformer powers the turnout instead of variable track power. Refer to the instructions posted above for proper fiber pin placement. Insure pin has a ridged shoulder to keep the control rail from touching the outside common rails, otherwise the turnout will chatter.
It would be highly unlikely that the switch motors were modified but someone for some reason could have soldered around the contact blade for better contact. But if you you have had these all your life and never opened them up then this paragraph is moot.
However if this is first time in 60+ years you have operated them, it might be a good idea to open up motors to clean contacts and sliding parts, sparingly apply fresh Lubriplate lubricant (consult a Lionel repair manual or someone here will chime in with how to.)
Thanks for the quick reply. Why do I keep getting track voltage even with the pin inserted? Have ZW transformer, does the plug wire go on the common or on A,B,C, orD. Thanks in advance for all of your help.
The constant voltage plug can be wired to any throttle of the ZW transformer that you are not using as a throttle for the trains. Not the common.
Larry
