#222 Standard Gauge Switches!!

[lionel2]

How do you attach a fixed voltage wire to these switches??  I was told you can use a seperate voltage source to power these switches with the controllers instead of using track power.  I just want to know where to attach this wire to the switches to give them direct power from Z transformer.  And what post do I attach this wire to on the Z transformer.  I would guess it would be the A, B, C, or D posts.  thanks for the help.

[lionel2]

Might anyone know where this fixed voltage wire attaches to??  I am guessing its like an 022 switch. 

[lionelsoni]

Since no one has jumped in here, I'll give you what advice I can, working only from a catalog picture.

The turnout that the 222 most resembles is the O-gauge 012, not the 022.  In the catalog picture, these have no obvious place to connect an accessory voltage.  I suspect that they are powered only from the track.  There is no sign of control rails nor mention of non-derailing operation; so I suspect that they lack the internal electrical switches that protect the 022 from a train stopped on a turnout powered from accessory voltage.

If these are wired in the typical way, one end of each coil connects to the center rail.  The other end of each coil connects to one terminal, and the third terminal connects to the outside rails.  To rewire for fixed accessory voltage, you would have to locate that first pair of connections, disconnect the coils from the center rail, and then reconnect the coils to your accessory voltage.  (Be aware that there are other ways that it might be wired.)

If you intend to create control rails for non-derailing operation, presumably by insulating nearby track sections, you should really use a capacitive-discharge circuit to provide the operating voltage, to keep from burning out the coils.

[palallin]

To confirm one thing Bob said:  the 222s are NOT non-derailing.  The 223s are.

[lionel2]

I found out how... The wire that attaches to the middle rail, disconnect it and add a 12 inch peice of braided flexible wire, stranded, to this wire and run that to the a, b, c, or D post on the transformer.  Now you have fixed voltage to the #222 switches.  Mine worked good with 20 volts applied to them.  Now i dont need to stop my loco to switch my switches.  I am happy now, all I need now are more #222 switches, i think i need 2 more pairs.  and more controllers to go with them.  thanks.

[lionelsoni]

Unless you just want authentic controllers, you know there are various other ways to control these turnouts, like a momentary SPDT switch, a pair of SPST pushbuttons, or two studs and a probe.

[lionel2]

Hey, I was able to purchase 2 more pairs of switches.  I bought (4) 223 switches and 4 controllers, they are the black ones, not green.  I was wondering, do these hook up the same way??  How can i do fixed voltage with these 223's??  I am used to the 222's.  Are these any different?  I know they are non-derailing switches.  But the wire that goes from the center rail under the switch that goes to the motor, just disconnect it off the center rail and run that end to the A, B, C, or D post on the Z transformer.  Is this correct?  it worked with my 222 switches, hope it will work with my 223's.  thanks.

[Beerye57]

Hello, can I use a 222 controller from my 440c panel board to control an 022 turnout?