Model Railway Forum

I've installed a couple of PECO points using their motors which fit underneath.

They worked fine to start with, not they'll both only operate in one direction, when I flick the switch one way goes with a positive click, the other way it just buzzes.

Will a CDU cure this before I fork out on one..?

Mod note: Post moved to Electrical forum where it should attract more views.

Probably but first you need to see if the points are free to move in both directions. Have you swapped the wires round to see if they work properly in the other direction.

Yes, I swapped the wires and they still only work same way, although they move easily by hand.

So the motor only works in one direct and always the same direction.

Yes but same with two motors.

Suspect you have a wiring or power supply problem.
You say the motors (Solenoids) are Peco, so I'm guessing they are PL10. If so, on one side of the motor (doesn't matter which) you connect the return wire and then link that wire to the other wiring tab located on the same side of the motor. On the opposite side of the motor you connect two wires one on each motors tab and coming from the operating switch or lever. Note the operating switch MUST only be a momentary type and is never able to remain On for more than a second maximum.
Toggle switches are (On)-Off-(On) sprung to centre Off. Levers are passing contact or momentary. Press buttons are non locking press to make. Or Stud and Probe can be used.

Next the wire used. The minimum recommended is 16/0.2mm throughout. Its also worth increasing the return wire size to say 24/0.2or even 32/0.2 where two or more solenoids share the one return wire and are to move from the one switch/lever. Additionally, try to avoid linking one motors feed to the next. Run separate 16/0.2mm wires from the switch/lever etc to each motor.

Power supply should ideally be 16v AC at 1.0Amp or greater amperage without a CDU. You can use DC, but then its recommended to increase the voltage to around 19 to 21 volts DC at around 3.0Amp. Using a CDU will provide a "Beefy" pulse of stored power to the motors and normally only one is needed for the whole layout. It also helps prevent coil burn out on the motor. Ideally its feed from 16v AC. It is wired immediately after the power supply and before the point operation switches or levers. Note the Hornby R044 Black lever doesn't' work well with a CDU due to its old style contact arrangement, but all other levers such as the Peco PL26 are fine with a CDU as are the switches mentioned above.

Maybe it's the wire - I'll beef it up with some thicker stuff and see if that works.

Thanks,

Shunts

Have you wired them exactly as Brian suggested.

Wire I used was thinner than his spec so will give it a go.

All new to me.

If two motors do the same thing I reckon you only have power to one side of the motor. Have you added the link wire.