Repair Micro Engineering turnout?

[nkalanaga]

In my case, the self-locking feature was lost, but since my handlaid turnouts didn't have it, it was no great loss.  Using slide switches to throw the points I didn't need, or use, the springs anyway.  They just go along for the ride.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Electronic Circuit Board cleaners are usually organic-solvent-based (possibly alcohol based) and are designed to wash away rosin-based fluxes used for electronic circuits.
If you used an acid-based flux (not used or recommended for electronic circuits) then the cleaner you used might not have rinsed all the acidic flux residues. Those type of fluxes might need aqueous cleaner (water-based).  In some cases the acid might also need to be neutralized.

Thanks Pete. The flux, solder and cleaner I used all did a great job. No corrosion at all after at least 10 years the turnouts have been in use.
Rod.

[peteski]

Thanks Pete. The flux, solder and cleaner I used all did a great job. No corrosion at all after at least 10 years the turnouts have been in use.
Rod.

Good to hear that. Many times when modelers use acid-based fluxes (which we still don't really know if the one you used was acidic) they end up with strange electrical problems (like phantom electrical load) on the layouts, not just corrosion.  I figured that a warning would be a good idea.