CDU fault?

[Richard]

In my station area I am using Peco electro frog points with the accessory switch for frog polarity changing and Cobalt S levers in their passing contact mode. There is a gaugemaster CDU in the supply to the levers.
This works fine most of the time, however after switching a number of points in succession the whole thing stops working for some some seconds/minute and then will work again.
It’s one lever per point so there’s no doubling up.
Is the CDU playing up? Or is this a feature? I didn't have this problem on the previous layout with peco point levers.

[teedoubleudee]

Sounds like it could be the CDU might have an over temperature sensor that's tripping. Just guessing.

[Rog (RJ)]

What do you use to power the CDU/

[Brian]

CDUs take a small amount of time to fully recharge, this time is dependent upon the power supply that feeds the CDU. Ideally the power supply used should be AC and around 16 to 18 volts with 1.0Amp or greater current capacity. Low voltage supplies and/or low current supply will result in longer recharge times.
Recharge time should be within a second or so normally. But check what happens if you pause between each point lever operation giving a pause of say 2 seconds. So as ... move lever, wait 2 seconds then move next lever and wait and so on. If the points all move correctly then the issue is the recharge time.

[Richard]

Thanks, I’ll try that.
The voltage supply is 18v 1amp AC from a Gaugemaster Combi controller (at the moment, that may change)

[Brian]

Hi

That is most likley to be the problem.
The GM Combi only has one power source and that is then split into two outputs. One drives the locos via the "Track" output while the other is called "Accessory". Best is to only use the Track for the loco and not the accessory output. Obtain another power supply for the CDU. GM make two their WM1 or WM3 are both suitable to feed a CDU