I am starting a layout and purchased several Right and Left Hand Switches and none of them are working correctly. I believe its a manufacturing issue within the Switch Machine. What I need to obtain is a diagram or a photo of the internals of a Right or Left Hand Switch Machine. I opened one of mine but the parts all fell out so I don't known for sure how they were all attached. My initial investigation is pointing to one plastic part being too long.
A picture of the part you think is causing the problem would help.......and a better description than "it isn't working correctly" would also help.
2705 is the part number for an Atlas #6 remote control right hand turnout. I don't remember ever seeing an internal diagram of one. I know I melted one once but that was years ago so probably wasn't exactly the same. In general, though, there are two wire coils, inside of which there is a rod which connects to the throwbar. The pushbutton control energizes one or the other coil and moves the rod.
Not much to go on here. Would help if you would provide more in formation. Who makes the switch as well as the switch machine? Are they the same manufacturer? How do you operate the switch machine (push button, toggle, slide or rocker switch)?
OUCH! Tres' Cher! From description looks like he's using this standard switch a better 'q' would be WHERE purchased from ie: "new" or "2nd hand"? Curious are these remote machines permanently attached or easily replaceable (ie: like HO's one-sided "snap-switch")? There's a sliding internal pin on a 's' track that moves the throw bar the biggest issue for me has been it becoming unattached from the moving coil bar and yes, if disassembled (via snaps underneath?), this pin would tend to fall out.
Depending on the specific "version" manufactured, the switch machine may or may not be replaceable. The "Atlas First Generation" remote switches couldn't be fixed (one of those is what I melted). At some point-- I'm not sure when-- the design was changed. In the photo of the current version to which Michael linked to above, there are two small screws used to hold the switch machine to the track. There have been several variations of this design including metal cased machines. I'm thinking that the path to fix is... replace the machine, if possible.
The 2700 series, which have been around since the 1990s, have detachable machines. The most likely problem with them, if they aren't switching to the desired route but it sounds like they are operating, is if the machine was removed and replaced and the internal throw is not positions correctly in the slot on the throwbar. That could also be the issue if the internal throw was not positioned correctly in the factory as the switch machine was installed. There have been 11 styles of the Atlas N scale switches since the beginning in 1967. Doug
