Greetings

[Freight_R_Us]

Hi. I am so new to model trains that I just bought a used set three days ago. I have been spending time trying to understand what I did.
I got an HO set that is a remnant from an estate. I have a couple of Lifelike engines, a box full of rolling stock and lots of new and used scenery. I also got a fair amount of track. So, I polished up the engine wheels and got them functional. I am on DC, I have 4 DC controllers of various types.
I finally realized that I have a number of Atlas turnouts that have electric ' switches'.
I am trying to determine how I can test what does and does not work.
I have seen other posts where it was stated you could use either 14 VAC or DC on them.
I also saw where they should only have momentary switches to activate the solenoid.
So, if I Test each coil and get a reading, that should indicate that the coils should work. I am asking how to simply activate the coils to test if they will in turn, activate the arm.
I believe if the coils can be energized, they should move an armature that moves the arm.
Does this sound correct?
Thanks.

 

[RhB Michael]

Yes, but do not leave wires attached with voltqge on them. Just make a brief contact and see if the points move. These solenoids will burn up in seconds with constant voltage/current applied.

 

[DeaconKC]

Welcome to the place and into the hobby. Great crew around here.

 

[shortwrench]

Welcome to the forum. Continue posting your ideas and questions. Please post a photo of your turnout controller
and we can walk you through a procedure to test its operation.

 

[trailrider]

Hi. I am so new to model trains that I just bought a used set three days ago. I have been spending time trying to understand what I did.
I got an HO set that is a remnant from an estate. I have a couple of Lifelike engines, a box full of rolling stock and lots of new and used scenery. I also got a fair amount of track. So, I polished up the engine wheels and got them functional. I am on DC, I have 4 DC controllers of various types.
I finally realized that I have a number of Atlas turnouts that have electric ' switches'.
I am trying to determine how I can test what does and does not work.
I have seen other posts where it was stated you could use either 14 VAC or DC on them.
I also saw where they should only have momentary switches to activate the solenoid.
So, if I Test each coil and get a reading, that should indicate that the coils should work. I am asking how to simply activate the coils to test if they will in turn, activate the arm.
I believe if the coils can be energized, they should move an armature that moves the arm.
Does this sound correct?
Thanks.

Atlas switch machines have three screw connections. Take one wire from your AC or DC power supply and attach it to the center screw. Take the other wire and MOMENTARILY TOUCH one of the other two screws. DO NOT PERMANENTLY ATTACH the other wire for now. If nothing happens when you touch the one screw, try the other one. When you go to permanently wire the switch machines, you will need either two momentary pushbuttons or a single-pole, double-throw, springloaded center OFF (SPDT spring-loaded Center-Off) toggle switch. If you use the two pushbuttons, connect the second wire from the power supply to one connection on both buttons. Then connect the other terminal on a pushbutton to one of the other screw on the switch machine. The terminal on the other button goes to the other terminal on the switch machine. If you use a SPDTCO toggle, one wire from the power supply goes to the center terminal of the switch machine. The other power supply wire goes to the center connection on the toggle switch. A wire from one of the other two contacts on the toggle goes to one terminal on the switch machine; the other wire goes to the other terminal on the switch machine. Remember to only throw the toggle MOMENTARILY to actuate the machine one way. Generally, if you throw the toggle to the left, the right contact will be connected. If you throw the toggle right, the left contact will connect. When you figure out your track plan, you will know which contact will throw the points on the turnout the way you want the train to go.

Since you are staying with DC...for now...(you may get bitten by the DCC bug, which is a different story than DC), I would try to pick up a copy of Linn Wescott's "How To Wire Your Model Railroad". Although written years ago, it is as applicable to DC today as it was when written.

 

[santafewillie]

Welcome aboard freight. Look in your collection for switch controllers that look like this.

Hook up your 14v power to the two terminals on the left, and hook up three wires from the top to the switch machine. Center to center, left to left, right to right. slide the blue button to one side and push it momentarily. If nothing happens, move it to the other side and push. If the switch machine and the switch itself move, then you will know that all works.