TURNOUT PROBLEMS HELP!

darticus Feb 19, 2011

  1. darticus

    darticus TrainBoard Member

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    Why do Locos go around a track 10 times fine than stop on turnouts randomly. What can I check out? Is this the plastic in the middle of the turnout causing it or is it somewhere on the turnout where they loss the power or DCC signal. Is there a way to check this better. Ron
     
  2. COverton

    COverton TrainBoard Supporter

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    If in DCC, it could be a short that forces the circuit protection to shut down power in just a few milliseconds. Everything goes dead. This is caused on DCC-friendly turnouts where the insulating spacers don't afford the works a 99% solution to occasional metal tire passages actually bridging the two incompatible polarities. You need to use a clear nail polish and paint two coats outward of the points rails' spacers by another 3/16" or so. Be sure to let each coat dry.

    In DC, I would have to say it is likely a couple of likely causes. One, weak connections at the joiners on the points end. Or, it could be weak connectivity/contact between points and stock rails and any wipers under the throwbar. Unfortunately, this could also be the problem in DCC.

    With passenger cars, they sometimes get their trip pins jammed against a guard rail or the frog point. Bachmann Spectrum heavyweights are known for droopy couplers.
     
  3. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    With DCC your power source should tell you if there's a short!

    Do you have an NMRA gauge? With this tool you can check clearances like Crandell told.

    Wolfgang
     
  4. darticus

    darticus TrainBoard Member

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    Its not showing a short on the DCC controller. Seems like certain locos don't fit the fogs on the Atlas turnouts. It seems like after I cut the frog groves wider the Loco sits down and the power restored. Seems like most problems are with the spectrum Locos. Maybe they are junk. I don't seem to have a problem with Athearns or Walthers. Just reading about peco turnouts with live frogs. Wonder how they are with DCC. Ron
     
  5. Arctic Train

    Arctic Train TrainBoard Member

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    Love my electrofrog Peco turnouts. Installed out of the box with no mods they route the power via the points. Ocasionally I'll get a bit of crud between the point and main rail that will cause the same problem you are describing but with just a second or two of cleanout they work just fine again.
    Then again it could be the Bachmann locos you are running. Newer ones are gaining my respect but if they were made more then a couple years ago- forget it..

    Brian
     
  6. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    Both insulfrog and electrofrog switches can somtimes have problems with dcc and the fixes are different with both. But you say you are not getting indication of a short circuit so you may be having continuity problems between the points and stockrail. Adding power feeders on both ends of the switch may help to overcome it. What switches are they? Atlas, Peco or other? What decoder are you using? Atlas, Lenz, TCS, POS MRC or other?
     
  7. pachyderm217

    pachyderm217 TrainBoard Member

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    Hmmmmm. If you're widening the flange ways in the frogs and guardrails, then perhaps your loco wheels are out of guage, that is, too close together. Your NMRA gauge has notches with which to check your wheels.

    I had a similar problems with a few of my locos. Adjusting the gauge of each wheel set helped those locos run smoother through the turnouts.
     
  8. darticus

    darticus TrainBoard Member

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    How do you go about adjusting them? Ron
     

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