Hello Haven't been here for a while but have been getting the layout going again. My question is about the proper type of mini toggle switch for Atlas turnouts. I believe they should be DPDT with a momentary feature to return the lever to center. My confusion is because the control switches provided by Atlas are a flat style w/ a sliding button - one way or the other - no "centered" position? I'm finding a lot of DPDT swithches on Ebay and other internet sites however just a few are listed as "momentary". Any suggestions for suppliers? Thanks
Yes...a DPDT with a momentary feature will work fine. The Atlas switches work on pressure when sliding. The momentary is achieved when you push down and slide it....when released they 'pop' back up.
I'm not too hot on a MOMENTARY mini-toggle/DPDT power switch. Have seen them used, sometimes they work OK, but have seen many more times that there was NO momentary contact. Power just kept flowing, destroying the switch machine..................."Say Mark, what's that burning plastic smell?!?" You wouldn't need a DPDT anyway. Use a SPDT (single pole double throw) for your power. You don't need to switch the ground off and on. In fact run all your switch motor ground wires together. I would wire the switch motor with a MOMENTARY PUSH BUTTON, then a SPDT to direct the flow of current. Flip the SPDT to the route you want, push the momentary push button to throw the switch motor. trainman-ho has the right idea. There a many more ideas for throwing Atlas turnouts, beside using electro-magnetic motors. Check some Model Railroad Electronics websites. GOOGLE------Model Railroad Electronics
I'm stuck in the same situation in need of wiring help. I don't want to use the bulky Atlas switches and like the idea of setting direction and an momentary button. I guess I need to Google and figure out how to wire the entire thing.
Sin Glad this got pushed to the front again. I did order the Momentary DPDT switches, reread some of the responses here, then stuck my head in the sand hoping the problem would go away, it didn't! So I found another solution that may work - take a look at EBay item 250970465751. A little pricey but I like the idea of adding LEDs to both the control panel and trackside. If I've read the descripition correctly he's not using the momentary style of switch?? Anyone have experience with these units?
Napa, thanks for the ebay link. Looks like a great product. A little pricey considering that for about another $50, I could put stationary DCC decoders (Digitrax DS52) formy 10 turnouts. You know which way the turnout is thrown (except when moved by hand). Did you actually found a site that shows you how to wire up the DPDT switches? I'm looking for a more economical route.
Here are my designs for controlling Atlas or any twincoil switch machine. I use DPDT switches as that is what I have the most of. They have many uses besides turning things on and off. But SPDP switches can be used for a couple of the designs. The Toggle switches can be wired to a single momentary button to make the control panel work like a CTC board. Atlas is now releasing a controller that has LEDs, a selector switch and a push button. It Kinda resembles the controls on a CTC machine.
Thanks Chicago For most wiring diagrams I've attempted to work thru, I've found I'd rather clean the cat box? Your is very clear - the colors help a ton. Since I already own the momentaries, I'll probably go that way. Was curious tho on how to calculate the resistor value on the bottom scheme?
I used the idiot's calculator. Any circuit under 20v I'm not sure of gets a 1k resistor. I've used 680 with 12vDC. If you use the LEDs with momentary DPDT switches the LEDs won't stay on. They'll just flash as the power goes to the turnout motor.
+1. Thanks Chicago! I like the "Dummies" diagram. Am I correct to assume that it is ok to tie all the common (black) wires together at a single point? The reason I ask is because I want to place all of the toggle switches in a small project box and be able to separate the box from the layout via RS232 25 pin interfaces. I have a total of 11 turnouts.
For the bottom scheme - what does the upside down black triangle (light circuit) on the right side represent?
http://www.demarelectronics.com/ MTS-123 or MTS-223 As to the resistor, it's for an LED....so 1K, no calculation needed.
All three of the triangles with lines are diodes. The Red and Green ones with the little arrows pointing away from them are Light Emitting Diodes. The black one is there to protect from back voltage. Remember these switch machines are generally powered by AC current. If you use DC power the third diode can be omitted.
I don't see a problem. One common power and a common ground. But to make a build a small test unit before soldering the whole assembly to a cable or cable connector.
Chicago I'm starting to see the light. So w/ a non-momentary DPDT switch & separate push button as you have suggested/described, the LED(s) light(s) would stay on be it on the control panel and/or trackside? Oh, and another question - aren't the terminals on the back side of the transformers DC? Didn't understand why AC would ever enter into the fray?? Thanks again for your help, Gary
Insert Elmer Bernstein music and stock footage of beam of sunlight through parting clouds. Yes you do SEE THE LIGHT! Cue the Gospel Choir and Acrobats! Sorry, Blue Brothers flash back has just occurred. The terminals on the back of power packs vary. The ones that come in the train sets are the cheapest and simplest. most have Track Power (Variable DC) and Accessories (AC). Depending on the vintage and model MRC units can have Track Power (Variable DC), Accessories (AC), and/or Fixed DC and even Speaker Output. Kato has a plug for Track Power (Variable DC) and ports to plug in the switch controllers into (Fixed DC). Tomix has plugs for Track (VariableDC), TCS (Fixed DC) and side jacks to plug in the switch controllers and track power controllers (fixed DC) I hope that helps.
If they don't spring back to the CENTER position they are NOT momentary. What everyone here is looking for is a SPDT momentary center OFF
