Trouble shooting Atlas O Guage switch motors

I have about 30 Atlas turnouts... love them.  A lot of coil fired switch motors can be fussy... and, I wouldn't use regular WD-40.  You are better off with WD-40 Contact Cleaner or CRC Contact Cleaner.  If you have ballasted... dust and other particulates will buildup/cling to lubricants.  It doesn't take much of an obstruction to cause problems.    I went with Tortoise... no more coil fired issues.

Agree with Dennis on using contact cleaner,  its not clear if you have tested the coil without the pivot base and throwbar,  etc. It might be the spring and throwbar link are not propertly secured.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Best, Dave

You might find that loosen-ing the mounting screws for the switch would help.  Often the mounting area, of the switch, is slightly distorted, placing the switch in a bind.  If the switch points move freely, then consider the switch motor the problem. IMO, Mike CT.

Thank you for the advice and I will try that

Replace them with real switch machines, you'll be much happier.

Thank you for the advice and are they certain switch motors that you feel comfortable in recommending? It’s important to mention that the layout has no access from underneath consequently, all wiring is on the layout board or residing in channels that I routed out and are covered by scenery vignettes.

Well, I'd certainly rather have the Z-Stuff DZ-1000 switch motors than the Atlas twin-coil ones, they are very prone to cooking a coil and they're dead.

No access below eliminates the really good switch machines like the Tortoise switch machines.

Did you adjust the spring inside the switch cover? I have over 30 and had to adjust the spring to get them to function correctly. It is in the instructions if you need to see what to do.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, I'd certainly rather have the Z-Stuff DZ-1000 switch motors than the Atlas twin-coil ones, they are very prone to cooking a coil and they're dead.

No access below eliminates the really good switch machines like the Tortoise switch machines.

Atlas 6924 relay board was added to inhibit motor burn-out, along with other (dead rail) functions, that improved switch traverse.   

Probably difficult to find these boards.

Note: One board can operate a switched cross-over pair.  The 21 relay boards, pictured below, operate 24 switches.  There are (3) sets of paired cross-over switches.

DZ 1000 design has a switch, that dis-connects power to the switch motor, once the throw is complete.

The DZ 1000 requires the addition of a DZ1008 latching relay, for more complex switch functions.

Atlas 6924 Relay board wiring, with two track circuits, each track circuit is fused. Non-derail, auto switching is part of the relay function(s).

Have fun, Mike CT.