Connector Switches for accessories

[Anonymous]

On my first layout, I used some Atlas 205 connectors/switches for my building lights, etc.  I like this because I can turn on or off whatever I want to.  There are only 3 switches per connector, but you can hook them together.

Does anyone have a different suggestion for this?  I don't want to put individual switches around the layout.  Would like to know how everyone else does theirs before I try to find some of these.

Thanks!

Lisa

[lionelsoni]

According to Atlas, that comprises three single-pole-single-throw switches in a box.  From their picture of it, I guess that it is intended that you supply a voltage to one set of side terminals and connect the loads to the pairs of terminals at the top.  I guess the other set of side terminals is for expansion to another 205.  So there must be a permanent connection among one of each pair of terminals, with the other being switched.

If you consider your outside rails to be the layout common or "ground", you can use that for the return from the lights instead of running separate wires from the switch box, saving half the wiring.

Contrary to the advice that you might see, it is not necessary for the accessory transformer that you use for lights to be in phase with the track voltage.  In fact, if you use the outside rails as the common for the lights, there is less voltage drop if the accessory voltage is out of phase, since the currents in that common return cancel to some extent.

[thankey]

For all scales. SPST. This is a device to turn electrical power on or off to track section or accessories. It has three SPST on-off yellow switches in parallel. Can be coupled together in any number by means of spade lugs (not provided in package). Atlas connector compromises the three single pole, single throw (on/off) switches in one convenient package. The connector provides individual lighting control to accessories such as: houses, street lamps, towers, and so on. It controls power to sidings or provides individual power control to several yard tracks.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/205.gif

[lionelsoni]

Or, according to Atlas:  "#205 - The Atlas Connector turns electrical power on or off to track sections or accessories. It is comprised of [sic] three SPST (on/off) switches in one convenient package. Any number may be connected together by means of the spades provided [my emphasis]."  I doubt that the switches are wired in parallel, which would be pointless.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies.

I plan to connect to the B & C terminals on my ZW.

 Lisa

[cheech]

I am using them in the same way, for lights and for a few of Walthers Oil Pumps.

These are meant for HO. I thought of using them to control the storage/access paths to the Atlas Turntable, but was advised that the atlas 205, which is the item i think you are referring to, might not deal with the amps/18V tmcc environment, so i went to toggles for those tracks. For accessories and lights they work for me. I run all wires to a control panel, common and power. The Transformer is phased with the other sources on the layout.

Not an electical expert, i headed this advice.  Others may be able to speak about the ratings for these switches.  Atlas has a newer sw with a higher rating, i think they call it a HD switch. but they are much much higher in price than toggles you can get at HD/Lowes/Elsewhere.

Ralph