[bigdogjeff1]

Hi all i need a little help. i have 2 lionel 022 switches a left and a right connected together in same direction and have insulator pins in where they need to be except i have to put 1 insulator pin inbetween the 2 switches or the 1 switch will not switch. the electric current keeps it open if i put a metal pin in. but everything runs fine as long as its lionel.if i put my mth steam on it it loses power a bit on the 1 switch and a little spark comes off the front truck when it touches.Can anyone make any sence out this for me.

 

[T-Man]

If they are together and powered from the track,that may be a cause. The sparking is from activating the auto derailing feature. You could try powering the swicthes by using the side plug.
I could look at the diagram if I know exactly how the switches are arranged and where the extra insulating pin is. You may have to go into the switch and look for shorts. In the meantime I would recheck the wiring.

 

[bigdogjeff1]

i have it powered with plugs on side of both switches. insulater pin on inner rails on the turn and outer rails on the straight. and 1 insulater pin inbetween the 2 switches on the inner straight.

 

[T-Man]

You should not have one on the center rail. On the straight section the insulator pin needs to be on the inside of the y.

Crude but it presents the idea.

When you install your insulated power plug ,that disconnects the center rail from the switch.

 

[bigdogjeff1]

this is what i have where there is a yellow post i have pins. is this right.

 

[T-Man]

You have them in the right place.
Check to see that the outside rail is the same polarity as the center pole to the switch. You can tell by checking your transformer.

You can also replace the switch to see if there is a change.
My guess is that one is wired in reverse of the other.
ANother problem is the long outer rail. This is tied into the frame by half size tabs. They must be isolated from the set of near tabs or else it isn't isolated anymore. That is why it is nice to have the diagram and examine all the connections. Your u terminal on the transformer should be the ground for the throttle and the power feed to the switches and attached to the outside rail. BY grouded these isolated tracks, that is what operates the switch.

 

[bigdogjeff1]

i got it fixed the rails where loose on 1 of the pins so there was lose of power.

 

[T-Man]

Great, I was running out of ideas. You have some neat stuff on your layout. Show us more sometimes! Welcome to MTF!
Bob