Point Motors and their operation. - Page 2

Flashbang · 11-09-2017, 11:59 AM

Glad its helps and never worry about asking questions. Its how we learn and are helped not to make too many mistakes.

Meld · 01-12-2017, 06:49 PM

I am having a little trouble with some Peco PL10 point motors 17 all together three work great and the rest vary between working for about 4 switches then on the 5th nothing
two will only throw one way, all the pins are central to the motor they are all perpendicular to the track I did make a tool to centralize everything I am fairly sure they are fitted correctly but obviously something is wrong, four of them are crossovers so you get the situation where only one point switches when it should be both, not good. When you move the bar with your finger they change no problem no tightness or obstruction.

Flashbang · 01-12-2017, 07:12 PM

What size wire is used to feed them and for their return?
What power supply is used? 16v AC at 1.0Amp minimum is the recommended output for solenoids.
I recommend the minimum wire size for operation feeds is 16/0.2mm equipment wire while a return wire should be a larger wire size where two or more motors move at once. 32/0.2mm or doubled up 16/0.2mm is ideal.
Are you using a CDU?

Meld · 01-12-2017, 08:56 PM

I am using 16/02 it's the triple wire that Gaugemaster sell for point motors, not using a CDU all connected to a mega points mimic panel which moves the motors on the cross overs one after another but so fast you would think it was at the same time. Using 16V 1.5 amp transformer it's a H & M Clipper.

Flashbang · 02-12-2017, 05:17 PM

Initially try dropping a problem motor off from the baseboard and point. Then test it in free air. Does it 'Pop' over and back? If it does its likely the motor is binding slightly on the point, or isn't positioned quite square. If all is free and proved to be so, then I suspect the wiring is not 100% somewhere or the Mega controller is working too quickly. Can it be slowed between each of its output operations? Sorry I don't have much detail re Mega controllers.

Edit... Just been reading the Mega points solenoid driver manual. They specify.. Power should be from a 2 Amp AC or DC power supply or transformer between 12 to 24 volts with
16 volts A/C being the sweet spot. Your H&M Clipper is only capable of providing 16v AC at 1.0Amp (Or mine is!) This lack of current may be the cause??

Also found... Prog PWR jumper
Placing the jumper into the “PWR” terminals activates the UP and DOWN buttons to adjust the
power setting. This is set across the entire board. Power is controlled in five steps from 10 ms to 50ms in 10 ms increments. As the UP and DOWN buttons are pressed the power setting is flashed out on the PWR LED. Have you increased this at all? It may be worth trying a longer time setting?

Meld · 03-12-2017, 03:14 PM

I am beginning to think it may be a power problem, think I will wire up the points on their own and see if they work better, perhaps my transformer is not up to the job I am using the one transformer to run the two solenoid power boards, can anybody recommend a good powerful transformer at least 2 amps.

Meld · 08-12-2017, 06:40 PM

Well I wired up one of my problem points directly to my Hornby Elite and it worked perfectly firing in both directions time after time without any hesitation, so at least I am now sure it is fitted to layout correctly and wired up correctly so it has got to be my 1 amp transformer not having enough power, I have ordered a 2.5 amp transformer but it is still to arrive. I must admit I feel that I am talking to myself at the moment everybody seems to have disappeared, got bored I suppose.

Teedoubleudee · 08-12-2017, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meld

.................. I must admit I feel that I am talking to myself at the moment everybody seems to have disappeared, got bored I suppose.

It's a busy time of year for everyone so don't be disappointed if you don't always get a reply straight away. You seem to have found the problem so just update us when you get your new power supply and if it fixes your problem.

Flashbang · 08-12-2017, 07:39 PM

A larger current power supply used with the Mega unit should resolve the problem as per their manual text I posted in #15 above.

Meld · 16-12-2017, 07:27 PM

Well my 2.5 amp transformer has arrived, all wired up and it all works beautifully, it solved all the problems I was having, thanks for all the advice.
I can now start driving my trains with a piece of mind knowing the points have thrown in the correct position.

11-09-2017, 11:59 AM	#11
Flashbang Administrator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE UK Posts: 8,216	Glad its helps and never worry about asking questions. Its how we learn and are helped not to make too many mistakes. __________________ Broken? It was working when I left it!

01-12-2017, 07:12 PM	#13
Flashbang Administrator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE UK Posts: 8,216	What size wire is used to feed them and for their return? What power supply is used? 16v AC at 1.0Amp minimum is the recommended output for solenoids. I recommend the minimum wire size for operation feeds is 16/0.2mm equipment wire while a return wire should be a larger wire size where two or more motors move at once. 32/0.2mm or doubled up 16/0.2mm is ideal. Are you using a CDU? __________________ Broken? It was working when I left it!

08-12-2017, 07:39 PM	#19
Flashbang Administrator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE UK Posts: 8,216	A larger current power supply used with the Mega unit should resolve the problem as per their manual text I posted in #15 above. __________________ Broken? It was working when I left it!

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01-12-2017, 06:49 PM	#12
Meld Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 30	I am having a little trouble with some Peco PL10 point motors 17 all together three work great and the rest vary between working for about 4 switches then on the 5th nothing two will only throw one way, all the pins are central to the motor they are all perpendicular to the track I did make a tool to centralize everything I am fairly sure they are fitted correctly but obviously something is wrong, four of them are crossovers so you get the situation where only one point switches when it should be both, not good. When you move the bar with your finger they change no problem no tightness or obstruction.

01-12-2017, 08:56 PM	#14
Meld Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 30	I am using 16/02 it's the triple wire that Gaugemaster sell for point motors, not using a CDU all connected to a mega points mimic panel which moves the motors on the cross overs one after another but so fast you would think it was at the same time. Using 16V 1.5 amp transformer it's a H & M Clipper.

02-12-2017, 05:17 PM	#15
Flashbang Administrator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE UK Posts: 8,216	Initially try dropping a problem motor off from the baseboard and point. Then test it in free air. Does it 'Pop' over and back? If it does its likely the motor is binding slightly on the point, or isn't positioned quite square. If all is free and proved to be so, then I suspect the wiring is not 100% somewhere or the Mega controller is working too quickly. Can it be slowed between each of its output operations? Sorry I don't have much detail re Mega controllers. Edit... Just been reading the Mega points solenoid driver manual. They specify.. Power should be from a 2 Amp AC or DC power supply or transformer between 12 to 24 volts with 16 volts A/C being the sweet spot. Your H&M Clipper is only capable of providing 16v AC at 1.0Amp (Or mine is!) This lack of current may be the cause?? Also found... Prog PWR jumper Placing the jumper into the “PWR” terminals activates the UP and DOWN buttons to adjust the power setting. This is set across the entire board. Power is controlled in five steps from 10 ms to 50ms in 10 ms increments. As the UP and DOWN buttons are pressed the power setting is flashed out on the PWR LED. Have you increased this at all? It may be worth trying a longer time setting? __________________ Broken? It was working when I left it! Last edited by Flashbang; 02-12-2017 at 05:28 PM. Reason: Edit to add new text

03-12-2017, 03:14 PM	#16
Meld Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 30	I am beginning to think it may be a power problem, think I will wire up the points on their own and see if they work better, perhaps my transformer is not up to the job I am using the one transformer to run the two solenoid power boards, can anybody recommend a good powerful transformer at least 2 amps.

08-12-2017, 06:40 PM	#17
Meld Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 30	Well I wired up one of my problem points directly to my Hornby Elite and it worked perfectly firing in both directions time after time without any hesitation, so at least I am now sure it is fitted to layout correctly and wired up correctly so it has got to be my 1 amp transformer not having enough power, I have ordered a 2.5 amp transformer but it is still to arrive. I must admit I feel that I am talking to myself at the moment everybody seems to have disappeared, got bored I suppose.

16-12-2017, 07:27 PM	#20
Meld Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 30	Well my 2.5 amp transformer has arrived, all wired up and it all works beautifully, it solved all the problems I was having, thanks for all the advice. I can now start driving my trains with a piece of mind knowing the points have thrown in the correct position.

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