Hello,
I recently purchased two great looking, used Lionel 022 switches.
Both have the same issue, when I hit the remote switch, they both activate well enough, but do not move the tracks far enough.
In other other words, the tracks switch, but I still need to move them the last quarter centimeter to get them moved all the way.
I can off course manually turn the lamp to get them to move as well.
I tested both in different parts of the track and they both suffer the same issue.
Any ideas?
Welcome to the forum!
Are you using track power for the switches? If so, use the fixed voltage plug and power the switches with a higher voltage than your track is getting. Usually 14 volts should get the switches to operate properly.
Larry
Thank you for your response.
I have this guy supplying the power
https://www.terapeak.com/worth/vintage-louis-marx-transformer-power-supply-model-1249/182018725420/That is likely my issue then right?
I did have a question, and forgive my ignorance. When it diagrams how to directly rig the switch to the transformer, instead of track powering it, what the heck wiring do you put in the fixed voltage plug?
"To make fixed voltage connec- tions, the O22 switch is provided with a fixed voltage plug which fits into a socket located on the side of the switch box. Connect a wire from the fixed voltage plug to the prop- er transformer binding post."
I have the pieces, just have no idea what wired I should put in. Is it a power wire like the one I have soldered to the track?
You will need 2 separate transformers if you wish to power the switches independent of track power.
The first transformer powers the track normally, with the common terminal hooked to the outside rails.
The second transformer gets the common terminal hooked to the outside rails of the track. The power terminal of the second transformer gets connected to the fixed voltage plug on the switches.
If you have a larger transformer with auxiliary output terminals, then use the auxiliary terminals which provide the best operation of the switches. You will only need one transformer then.
The same gauge wire you have to the track can be used to power the switches.
You will now have 2 transformers and 4 wires to power the track and the switches separately.
Larry
Larry,
Thank you for your response. That all makes sense.
Just allow me to display my ignorance further.
So, I have a transformer plugged into the wall. and on it our 4 towers that come off. 2 sets. One is adjustable voltage and the other is for the max. I connect my white and black feeder wires, that are soldered to the inside and middle track. Trains run just fine and the switcher lights up.
Where I got confused is the use of the term power terminal and common terminal. All I have is black and white feeder wires that connect the transformer to the track. I see a single wire in the diagram attaching to the fixed voltage plug on the switcher, what one wire is that?
Much appreciated and assume I know less than you expect.
Forgive me for not looking at all the pictures of the Marx transformer you have. It turns out that your transformer has an extra set of terminals marked "TO ACCES. 13 VOLTS".
This set of terminals is used to power your switches. The bottom terminal goes to the track outside rails, and the top terminal goes to the constant voltage plug on the side of the switches. You will have 2 wires connected to this top terminal, one for each switch.
This transformer is not marked which terminals are power and which terminals are neutral (ground).
We will presume the top terminals are the power, and the bottom terminals are the grounds.
You will have the 2 bottom wires hooked up to the outside rails of the track.
One top wire (from the left terminal set) gets connected to the track center rail.
The other wires (from the right terminal set) get connected to the constant voltage plugs of the switches.
Now the switches will be powered independently of the track. The track power could be off, and the switches will still be powered.
Larry
It all makes sense now.
Thank you very much for the feedback and advice. My son's favorite thing is switch the tracks and this makes it much easier.He just has to watch burning his hand on those old bulbs.
I bought the switches from an old timer at a train show in Georgia and he rewired them pretty well. Good as new.
Thanks again,
Jim