Atlas n-scale True-Track code 65 - turnout controllers "switch"

[rogergperkins]

Atlas part number 56 is the control "switch" for these turnouts and possibly other Atlas turnouts.
I have connected the control "switch" per instructions and tested it.
It worked one time and then would not work at all.
Yesterday, I purchased a replacement control "switch" at the LHS and installed it.
Had the same results; it worked one time and now will not work a second time.
Any hints about how to resolve the problem?  Thanks in advance.

[kornellred]

I would check the wiring on the switch coil inside the switch (turnout) itself, and also check for obstructions to the "throw".  If the switch (turnout) operates in both directions easily using a finger, then there is no reason why it would not operate if the coil is intact.  There is very little chance that you have bad part 56, since it is only a slide contact which joins the common (black) wire to the green or red wire, depending upon which way the slide is positioned.

[DKS]

What are you using for a power supply?

[Atlas Paul]

1) Make sure you have the wires connected to the proper terminals.  If you don't have the black wire on the center terminal, it will only throw in one direction.

2) IF the above is correct, try switching the terminals for the red and green wires and see if it will throw the other way.  If so, that will show that the internal connections are correct.

3) Do you have another switch machine that you know works?  If so, try using the same button on the switch machine that works to make sure the button is not bad.

4) You can also test the machine by attaching the black wire directly to the 16-18 V AC output of your power supply and quickly touching first the red, then the green to the other AC terminal to make sure the switch machine is functioning correctly.

If none of the above solve your problem, please contact Don Fidecaro in our service department at dfidecaro@atlasrr.com

[Philip H]

1) Make sure you have the wires connected to the proper terminals.  If you don't have the black wire on the center terminal, it will only throw in one direction.

2) IF the above is correct, try switching the terminals for the red and green wires and see if it will throw the other way.  If so, that will show that the internal connections are correct.

3) Do you have another switch machine that you know works?  If so, try using the same button on the switch machine that works to make sure the button is not bad.

4) You can also test the machine by attaching the black wire directly to the 16-18 V AC output of your power supply and quickly touching first the red, then the green to the other AC terminal to make sure the switch machine is functioning correctly.

If none of the above solve your problem, please contact Don Fidecaro in our service department at dfidecaro@atlasrr.com

Paul,
The fact that we can get responses like this from folks like you makes TRW one of my favorite places. Thanks.

[rogergperkins]

Thanks for these suggestions. 
1) Make sure you have the wires connected to the proper terminals.  If you don't have the black wire on the center terminal, it will only throw in one direction.
   Yes.
2) IF the above is correct, try switching the terminals for the red and green wires and see if it will throw the other way.  If so, that will show that the internal connections are correct.
    Yes, I did that will the previous part #56 I installed, it worked one time when I changed red and green wire connections.  Then did not work.
3) Do you have another switch machine that you know works?  If so, try using the same button on the switch machine that works to make sure the button is not bad.
    No, this is first one that I have attempted to connect; using others manually.
4) You can also test the machine by attaching the black wire directly to the 16-18 V AC output of your power supply and quickly touching first the red, then the green to the other AC terminal to make sure the switch machine is functioning correctly.
    Thanks, I have not tried that step.    Not certain there is sufficient length wire to try this.  Will report.

[rogergperkins]

Background: I replaced Kato Unitrack on a part of my layout with Atlas True-Track because I like the appearance of the True-Track.  I have installed four Atlas True-Track turnouts as a part of this replacement project.
I have run trains successfully, but operated to turnout manually.

This is the first of the four turnouts that I have attempted to connect to the controller "switch" part #56.  I have already listed my lack of success above, i.e. the turnout operates one time and then will not operate again.  I just installed a new part #56 with the same results, however I have not attempted to redo the red and green wires with this second installation.  Thanks again.

PS:  I notice that power is going to the main line and the siding where this turnout is installed.

[Atlas Paul]

Roger,

Do you have the #56 connected to the AC terminals of the power supply?

[rogergperkins]

Yes, Paul, the #56 is connected to the AC output of an MRC power pack.  The output works fine with the Kato controllers still attached.
Thanks.

[rogergperkins]

I have not been able to get these turnout controllers to work.
I replaced part #56 with a new one from the LHS; installed it.
It worked once and now will not work.
I am completely puzzled by this.
I have sent an e-mail directly to Atlas, however I not received a reply.
 

[DKS]

Roger, you say you have more than one Atlas True-Track switch. Have you tried connecting a switch controller to any of the others, just to rule out a faulty track switch?

[Atlas Paul]

Roger,

Can you please forward me a copy of the email you sent?  If you have not received a reply, I am concerned that it may have gotten gobbled up by our spam filter.

[rogergperkins]

Atlas Paul,
Thanks for your assistance. 
I hope by 2014 when I plan to build a larger layout, that more True Track items will be
available.

[rogergperkins]

  I am pleased to report that I have finally wired 2 of the True-Track turnouts to the #56 controller so that they work correctly.
Thanks to Paul and Don at Atlas for their help.
I started the process by choosing a different transformer that had no other connections to the AC output posts.
I now speculate that was the source of my problem and not the True-track controllers or turnouts.
I had other turnout controllers connected the AC output of the transformer I selected initially.

[rogergperkins]

Just to tie up any loose ends on this post, I want to explain that my analysis of the initial problem
was that I was connecting the power lead to the True-Track controller to the same transformer posts that I had
Kato Unitrack controllers  attached.
Once I connected the power lead to the True-Track controller to a separate transformer, they worked as intended.

I am looking forward to building another layout and using more of the Atlas True-Track.