today I think I finally found out what is wrong with my semaphores.

when they are in resting position, the current is cut off from the whole semaphore. That is probably why they cannot get up on their own?

See where the positive metal plate thing meets the coils? There is nothing connected here!

but when I manually push the arm out, the pin will touch the positive metal plate and then it will extend fully and light up

can anybody see what is wrong with them? does anybody know how they are suppose to be connected? any help / pics of working semaphores would be great

thanks a lot!

The terminal with the plate thingo is for the lite on the dash, don't connect the positive wire from the switch there, it goes on the next terminal down.
So to test them just put positive power to the botton terminal and hold the earth wire to the body of the semaphore, and if its OK it will fly out and light up.

thanks for that dave
I've found a wiring diagram that says the same thing. stupid me!

I've been testing them using a car battery and a voltage drop down resistor. They aren't getting enough power...

but once I get rid of the resistor they will fly up (I only did it for 2 sec, I know it's not healthy for them)

I think they're alive! thankyou dave

[Edited on 28-4-2005 by Lams]

when the arm goes up does a brass pin come out of the coil ??

if not it may be broken off and need replacing wash them up in kero n give them a good air blast and dry off. Flush them with some metho to get rid of the grease ..... dont put the yellow lens in petrol or kero,,, they are very brittle.