I have two turnouts that I want to control independent of each other and main track power. I'm trying to wire a SPDT (off in the middle, left control or right control) switch and am totally frustrated. I have each turnout gapped with plastic isolators. Surely this is an easy problem to solve but I can't figure it out. HELP!
What are you wanting this SPDT switch to do, turn power on to the track, or activate the turnout's motor?
In order to diagnose the problem we need much more information -- brand of turnout, etc. would help.
I have manual turnouts ... I want to shut down track power to each of these sections of track independent of each other and the main track power.
Assuming that you're going to mount this toggle switch on a control panel and not at the actual turnout, here's how you need to wire it:
1. Insulate only ONE rail diverging from the turnout -- the one you're going to control with the toggle switch. The rail from the frog would be best.
2. You would connect the power input to the toggle switch to the center terminal. Each end terminal of the toggle switch would then go to whichever rail you want to power at the turnout, the straight through or the diverging route. Flipping the toggle switch to the appropriate direction would turn a track on.
3. The other rail at the turnout would not need a separate feeder wire unless you have put an insulated rail joiner there and want to leave it in place. In such a case, just add another feeder wire beyond the insulator that is the same polarity as the main track and does not go through a toggle switch.
Another option: You would need only one toggle switch to control both turnout tracks by doing the following.
1. Insulate only one rail at the turnout -- the rail that diverges onto a siding at the frog.
2. Connect the input power to the toggle switch to the center terminal.
3. Connect a separate wire from each end terminal of the toggle switch to the insulated rail of each siding.
Throwing the toggle switch from side to side would then turn on/off each of the two sidings independently.
If you're dealing with G-scale locomotives, make sure your toggle switch is rated for enough current to handle the load.
LGB EPL drives have an optional DPDT that can bew added 12070 is the number and 12030 is the older version.
My sidings are only active when picked, dead when mainline is picked and no toggle switches are needed with this method.
Many electric/electronic switch drives have optional SPDT micro switches available as an option
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