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 Posted - December 23 2012 : 11:16:12 PM
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Howdy again, I'm suspecting I have a bad Tyco-matic Switch. Whenever I open the switch, it appears to cause a short because the Freight station's light (which is hooked up the the "AC" accessory terminals of the same power pack) dims badly. So I brought out the ohm meter, and with the power pack unplugged, measured across the different rails looking for trouble. Trouble was found. See photo below. The curved section of the switch goes off to a siding, so I wouldn't expect to measure any resistance between the rails as shown in the photo...
Even closed (e.g. letting the train run straight and not off to the siding), I still measure resistance across those two rails.
Alas, I don't have the instructions for the switch (if there were any), nor do I have the semaphore, wires, etc., so I'm a bit in the dark. What do you gents think? Bad switch?
Thanks for any ideas.
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 09:44:01 AM
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| The Tyco-matic was (and possibly still is) a rather clever and unique turnour design in HO. The center, pivoting section is normally, electrically isolated, and will carry the current of whichever rail it is touching. I agree that something appears to be shorted, but I'm not sure where or how. I would look near where the pivot / rivet is, and see if there is a connection there. These turnouts are fairly scarce and I don't have one to refer to to refresh my memory. But I'm fairly certain the lighted indicators, etc are NOT required for it to function correctly.
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 10:52:44 AM
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I believe indeed there may be a problem inside the covered portion. I have three of these (alas, all without their semaphores or control + wires) and this is the only one that has an issue. I noticed that flipping the switch a few times and/or touching the cover which houses the solenoid (or whatever is in there) has an effect. Hmmm. Maybe I'll try to pop it open some day. In the meantime, replaced it with a new Peco which works like a charm.
Visited the LHS a few times since breaking open the old train box... Goodness, trains certainly have gone up in price since the 60s-70s... that switch probably costs as much as the whole Tyco Santa Fe "The Diesel Flyer" set my parents bought me back in... was it Christmas 1968? lol...
-- Tim
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Posted - December 24 2012 : 7:41:42 PM
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So I decided to pop the switch cover off and see what's inside. I regret I didn't take any photos for you guys -- maybe I'll do that later if anyone really wants to see what's inside.
Small solenoid with a shaft that moves back and forth to activate the switch... and make the semaphore move... and also to drive some small plastic parts that have thin brass ribbon contacts that are formed to touch different contacts depending on whether the switch is open or closed. One set of those contacts have tiny wires soldered running in a groove beneath the tracks over to the rails to determine whether the siding gets juice or not, etc.
That contact ribbon is so flimsy and the plastic so frail that it's easy enough to have a short, which is what was happening. I readjusted the ribbon with a tiny screwdriver, best I could, and now that bum switch appears to be working again.
Tony Cook's comment on his Tyco site is spot on: Tyco made toys. The quality is somewhat dodgy, but hey, they're still working after all these years and it all brings back great memories so I'm not complaining.
Trains around the tree for Christmas eve.
Peace on earth and goodwill to you all.
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