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I'm replacing Atlas O switch machines with Z-Stuff DZ-1000s. Running into issues. First, instructions to install were not adequate - needed to go online to find out that only 1 of the enclosed spring links works with Atlas switches. After fixing that, am only able to get the switch to go in the open position. The button to close the switch does not move the switch throw arm. I hear it click in the switch machine - but the throw arm does not move. I put multiple DZ-1000s - assuming it might be a DZ-1000 issue. Same deal. Open, but no close. It also doesn't appear to matter if you move the switch motor to the other side of the switch. In that case, it closes, but does not open. 

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You'll have to provide a bit more detail. If you are using the DZ-1002 push button to control the switch machine, there should be no relevance to what kind of swicth you are using. Are you attempting to set up the switch for automatic non-derailing? That being said, I did have difficultly in getting a DZ-1000 switch machine to exert the proper "spring" in the throw. I had tried a DZ-100 after burning out some Atlas motors that melted on me. In the end, I bought new Atlas switch machines but am using a CDU to obviate the switch button problem. I pretty much have used the DZ-1000 only in conjunction with Ross switches. The DZ-1000s do "stick" at times and, in a few cases, I had to replace them after breaking the little pin while trying to pull it back in the opposite direction.

yes - using the DZ-1002 - but eventually want to control them through the Lionel legacy control system. But first things first - I have to get them working.

No auto derailing - just trying to get the switch to throw back and forth.

From your comments, it sounds like your issue was with the DZ-1002 rather than the DZ-1000 itself. Yes?

Something odd. I had tried a couple of the DZ-1000s - and they all had the same problem. But I did not swap out the DZ-1002. Do you think I should try that as well?

Lastly, in an effort to see if something was wrong mechanically inside the switch machine, I took off the bottom cover off a couple of them (it is attached via a small screw). I found a round piece of metal about an inch long and about the same thickness as a very thin sewing needle. It was laying across the motor. There was also a small 3 pronged plastic piece there as well. I believe it also fell out of the DZ-1000.  I've attached pictures of both. 

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Images (2)
  • dz-1000 pic 1: DZ 1000 with metal piece and plastic piece
  • dz 1000 pic 2: DZ 1000 with metal piece and plastic piece - different orientation

Tortoise switch machines are extremely dependable.  Work year after year, layout after layout,  decade after decade.  New or used they all  perform the same.  Rock solid.

Upon special request I did install the Atlas 2 rail switch machines on a large layout only to rip them out and throw away over 90 of them.  Some worked, some did not and the controllers were cheaply made.   Temperamental, flimsy, waste of time.   The owner then let me replace with Tortoise.

Thanks for the replies guys.

In response to hokie71 - the straight metal wire I found in the switch machine could not be the motor shaft - that's way too big. And the motor shaft is still there. I'm going to write to z-stuff to see what they say.

With respect to the other posts/replies: as of yesterday afternoon, I appear (with the emphasis on the word appear) that have things working now - at least for the first switch machine I’ve tried to install.

It looks like the keys are the use of the spring wire with the tiny loop at one end (response received in one of my other posts), and the other relates to the positioning of the switch machine itself. It needs to be right up against the rail ties of the track. I may be declaring success too quickly, but this appears to do the trick. We’ll see as I try to install some others today.

Thanks again.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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