Lionel Trains - Lionel Train Forum - Model Train Forum
Lionel Trains Workshop => Lionel Maintenance & Repair => Topic started by: TrainmanMarty on May 05, 2020, 11:55:41 pm
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I recently bought two 027 1121 remote switches. The RH switch seems to be always energized when track power is on. The LH switch operates as expected. It doesn't matter if the switch controller is hooked up or not. It sometimes goes off when the track is wiggled. If I can get it to de-energize, with the switch set to straight, when I run a train over it, the switch moves just enough to derail the loco coming from either the straight or curved track of the switch. It seems to move just when the loco crosses from the regualr track section to the switch. I know that this switch is supposed to have a non-derail function, but I have not set that up as shown in the manual. I do have fiber pins in the rails as shown, but it makes no difference if I use fiber or steel pins. Anybody have experience with this kind of problem ? thanks
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Welcome to the forum!
It sounds like the internal wiring may be shorting out, powering the switch with the locomotive weight on it, or by wiggling the switch as you say.
Here is the wiring diagram of the 1121 switches:
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/swt/stc1121a.pdf
You may need to open up the switch to get at the wiring. That involves drilling out the eyelets, as shown here:
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/swt/stc1121c.pdf
Replacement eyelets, part #1550-8 are available here:
http://www.ttender.com/list/num6.htm
Larry
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Thanks for the info. However it doesn't appear to be a wiring problem in the switch. I bought another switch of a different model and swapped it out. The "new" switch does the same thing, it is always energized. The other 1122 is installed in the same track and operates normally.
I moved the problem switch (LH) to another part of the layout and it does the same thing - always energized even without control wires attached.
Could there be some sort of polarity problem with my power wiring ? I tried reversing the variable power connections on the transformer with no change. Checked the wiring to the tracks and all are consistent (center vs outside rail soldered connections). Why would 2 switches always be energized and one work perfectly normally ?
Since they are riveted together, I'd rather not have to break into them, especially if it is not an internal conection problem to begin with.
Thanks,
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Since one switch works normally and two don't, the problem is definitely in the switches.
Take the problem switches out of the layout and power them up with just 2 pieces of track connected to each leg of the switch and see if the problem still occurs. If it does, there is an internal problem in the switches.
The 1121 switches do not have fiber pins in them, unless the switches are set up for automatic operation.
There is no polarity in AC voltage, so the wiring to the track from the transformer is not an issue.
Confirm that all switches operate properly outside the layout.
What transformer are you using?
Larry