peco point

[greatwestern]

Trouble with peco point.
I have a large radius Peco Point electrofrog, new.
This works as normal.
The problem I am having is that when I fit a peco PL10 point motor to it,
via fitting underneath with the 4 fitting lugs, and wire up, it will work one way but not turn the other.
It works of a common wire underneath the layout which picks up all points.
The common wire is conected to both lugs on one side of the point motor.
The 2 lives on the other side goes to 2 studs on the panel, one left one for right.
Now if I disconect the point motor from the point it works as it should, both left and right when activated.
Fix it back on the point and only one side works.
All other points on layout wired this way are electricaly operated and work OK.
Any ideas what to try.

Mod note Topic moved from the DCC area

[Walkingthedog]

The motor works in both directions off the points but only one direction on the points. Do the points move freely in both directions?

[Brian]

Hi

1) Firstly, what scale are you using N or OO or something else? N motors drive pin and the motor itself fit onto the Peco point in a different place to OO scale.
2) Next, how are your feeding all the motors including the failed one? AC at around 16v or DC at between 18 and 21volts or something else. If something else what?
3) What size wire is being used for the feed to the Probe and what size wires are going out to the point motors from the studs and the return wire size too? Minimum recommended is 16/0.2 anything smaller can easily lead to poor operation.
4) Are you using a CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit) if so what make/type
5) When the motor is removed from the point you state it moves freely under power. How does the point itself move by finger Is there any resistance to movement in one or both directions?
6) Is just one motor on the problem circuit or are there two or more all being feed and trying to move at once?

[greatwestern]

Thank's Brian,
Decided to strip out CDU imput as it is a long run.
Also the wires to the point motor are old telephone wires which are very thin and one strand.
Going to replace with a new CDU powered close to point and use thicker connecting wire,
multistrand, to point and to strob.
Mike

[Brian]

Thank's Brian,
Decided to strip out CDU imput as it is a long run.
Also the wires to the point motor are old telephone wires which are very thin and one strand.
Going to replace with a new CDU powered close to point and use thicker connecting wire,
multistrand, to point and to strob.
Mike

Telephone wire is the problem! Its far too thin. You need as a absolute minimum 16/0.2mm Equipment wire. Larger size of wire is even better!
The CDU does not need to be closer to the points (unless its several metres away!). A CDU at the mimic panel or point operation position is normal. Just ensure the feed wires to the switches or Probe then onward to the motors and the return wires are all are of a suitable fat wire size.

[greatwestern]

Hi
Changed all, thicker wire, new CDU and probe wire.
Shorter run.
All working OK
Thank's Brian

[Brian]

Brilliant, well done.