Removing centre spring - Peco N scale

[andruec]

Just a note that if you have laid Peco N scale Setrack turnouts and are wondering how to remove the over centre spring - it can be done. It can be done in situ and isn't even particularly difficult.

The problem is that the flap we're supposed to remove is underneath which makes things more difficult. However I've just discovered that if you move the turnout to the straight position there is just enough room to get the tip of a scalpel under the spring and lift it about 45 degrees. There is then just enough room to get a very small pair of wire snips in. From there just twist it a bit while stabilising the points and the spring will come out.

I doubt you'll get it back in again but hopefully you won't need to.

The reason I had to remove some was because Cobalt-SS motors won't budge a Peco N-scale Setrack turnout with the spring in place. Of course ideally you'd allow for motors when laying the track but I'd made the conscious decision at the time not to bother. I assumed I'd never take this layout far enough to need them.

[Walkingthedog]

I’m really surprised the motor wouldn't change the points with the spring attached.

[andruec]

I’m really surprised the motor wouldn't change the points with the spring attached.

I was a bit surprised as well. Advice typically suggests that it's just better to remove them for smooth motion but the Cobalt-SS I bought can't even make the points twitch. The motors just buzz then stall. Looking at their forums again they do imply that SS are built small for a specific use-case. Also I don't suppose Peco particularly expect anyone to use turnout motors on Setrack and might have used strong springs assuming that we will be relying on firm contact for power transmission. Not an unreasonable choice - experienced modellers will use Streamline as I shall on my next layout

I've already installed three on another of my yards but that time I pulled the turnouts up and had a real job laying everything back down again. Didn't want to go through all that hassle again.

[Mike Parkes]

I doubt the spring on Setrack points is stronger as it would cause problems with their own motors.
What power supply have you used? Do the point motors throw okay not attched to a point?

[andruec]

I doubt the spring on Setrack points is stronger as it would cause problems with their own motors.
What power supply have you used? Do the point motors throw okay not attched to a point?

The motors are powered via controllers powered from the track bus. They have a CDU so I assume they feed whatever power is needed. The motors don't 'throw' though, they are stepper motors. They wind and unwind. Maybe that's the issue. I also doubt it does the motor much good to have to strain against a spring then suddenly find itself being pulled along.

But DCC Concepts don't say they won't work, merely that it's highly recommended to remove the spring.

[Walkingthedog]

Surely you can’t power stepper motors with a CDU can you. It just gives an instant pulse of power, a motor needs a steady supply or am I talking rubbish?

I was under the impression the only thing you should power from the track bus is the track.

[Mike Parkes]

In DCC Concepts manner of making the simple complicated then writing dumbed down overly simple instructions that fail to help when it does not work (from experience of having returned too much of their stuff as not being fit for purpose) these motors work through what is effectively a DCC accessory module even when not using DCC https://www.dccconcepts.com/manual/cobalt-ss/

[Mike Parkes]

Now the springs are removed are the points throwing correctly or not? The motor is basiclly a surface mount slow motion motor and it is normal to remove the overcentre spring,

[Walkingthedog]

So will a CDU work Mike?

[andruec]

Now the springs are removed are the points throwing correctly or not?

Absolutely, yes.

The motor is basiclly a surface mount slow motion motor and it is normal to remove the overcentre spring,

I don't have any problem with the recommendation to remove centre springs. At the most I'm mildly curious as to why they don't specifically require it, that's all. I only posted this thread to help others who might be in the same predicament of wanting to retrofit Cobalt-SS motors to their N-scale Setrack layout. It was you who seemed to consider it worthy of investigation

I've used quite a lot of their stuff now and it always does what it says and works well. You just have to follow their instructions which leads us back to why this thread exists. If you want to use Cobalt-SS motors with N-gauge Setrack you have to remove the centre spring and here's how you do that to already laid track.