Rotary switch for turnout control

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have an idea where I might could see a schemetic on wiring turnouts to a rotary switch for my yard ? I'm talking about turn the dial and the turnouts align for the route selected. I think the use of diodes is involved but it would sure help if I could find a reference point. Thanks.
Clay Smith

[cwclark]

"Easy wiring for model railroads" by Andy S. and an oldie but goodie "How to wire your model railroad" by Lynn Wescott both have schematics in them on wiring a yard ladder...you're going to need a bunch of diodes along with the rotary switch to accompli***his...both books are Kalmbach publications ...Chuck

[Anonymous]

Chuck is correct; if you do a Google serach and/or go the public portion of the nmra site (www.nmra.org) you will also find on-line schematics. One issue you should be careful of, is that most rotary switches have lower power-handling capability. Half-amp is common and you will have trouble finding anything more than 1.5. Not an issue if you are using stall-type motors to drive your turnouts but very likely an issue if you are using the more comon magnetic-field swtich machines and druving, say, four or five of them at the same time.

[challenger3802]

QUOTE: Originally posted by claysmith

Does anyone have an idea where I might could see a schemetic on wiring turnouts to a rotary switch for my yard ?

I think you'll find what you're looking for here =>
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/StallMatrix.html Scroll half way down the page until you hit Rotary Switch - Diode Matrix Turnout Control schematic

Ian

[Anonymous]

Guys, Thanks for the help. All I need now is someone to teach me how to read the schemetics!
Clay

[challenger3802]

Claysmith,

I'll happily teach you, I work in the electronics industry. Email me

Ian