If your track switch has not yet been installed, follow these instructions:
As shown in Figure 2, create a slot through the roadbed and/or track support board under the hole in
the throwbar of the track switch. Do this by drilling two 1/8" diameter holes about 3/16" apart (for HO
gauge track), then cut and file out the space between them. Be careful to leave the hole smooth and
splinter-free. Note: For scales larger than HO, make the slot correspondingly longer.
Figure 3 shows the track switch installed with the hole in the throwbar positioned above the slot. Be
sure the slot is wide enough to clear the throwbar hole when the track switch is completely thrown in
either direction.
On the underside of the track support board, drill a 1/8" diameter x 1/2" deep hole at a distance 1-1/2"
to 1-3/4" from the slot. Remove the mounting bracket clamping screw and install the mounting bracket
with the mounting screw provided in the kit as shown in Figure 4.
Install the brass wire through the hole in the motor shaft as shown in Figure 5. Place the end of the
wire through the hole, then tightly wrap it around the motor shaft as shown. It will stay in an upright
position with just a small amount of wobble (which is just what we would like to have) and act as the
throw rod for the track switch.
Spread the gap in the mounting bracket, then snap the motor into place in the bracket as shown in
Figure 6. At the same time, guide the throw rod wire up through the hole in the track switch throw bar
as shown in Figure 7. Reinstall the clamping screw and adjust the motor position so that the throw rod
wire clears all edges of the slot. Trim off excess throw rod wire as shown in Figure 8 (be careful to
leave a little extra so it doesn't slip out of the hole when the switch is thrown).
Skip the next part of the instructions and proceed to: Electrical Hook-Up and Final Adjustment
The Switch Tender is a stall-motor switch machine. That means that the motor runs until it throws
the track switch; then, it simply stalls, holding the points tightly against the stock rails. A resistor
(provided), installed in either one of the motor lead wires, prevents the motor from overheating in
the stalled position, even though the electrical power to the motor remains on. To throw the points
in the other direction, simply reverse the polarity of the motor connections using an electrical toggle
switch (not included...we recommend the Micro-Mark #83257 3PDT Toggle Switch, which will also
route power of the proper polarity to the frog of the track switch). Installation of the Switch Tender
requires ordinary hand tools, such as a flat tip screwdriver, needle-nose plier, small file, wire nipper
and wire stripper; an electric drill with 1/8" and 1/16" diameter bits will make things easy. After you
gain a little experience with installation, you should be able to install a Switch Tender in about 5
minutes (It takes longer to read the detailed instructions below than to install the Switch Tender).
Note: Dimensions given in the instructions are intended for HO gauge switches.
Adjust them accordingly for your track gauge.
The Switch Tender can be mounted either before (quite simple) or after (a little more work)
installation of your track switch. Instructions for both situations follow...
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8
1-5/8”
MM040405
Figure 1 shows the contents of your Switch Tender kit:
1 premium quality motor with integral slow-motion gearhead
1 mounting bracket with clamping screw
1 mounting screw
1 resistor (150 ohm, 1 watt)
1 brass tube
1 steel wire
1 brass wire
3 wire nuts
This product contains lead, a chemical
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
340 SNYDER AVENUE, BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ 07922
