I'm a solo builder with limited access to other modelers. I installed code 100 Peco turnouts on my layout and like the surefootedness of the Peco turnouts and switch machines. I don't want to buy the Peco switch controllers however. I am looking for an alternative that will give me momentary power to the swtich machine and then tell me whether the turnout is in one direction or another. My local Radio Shack lady has come up empty. I'd welcome any ideas. I'll eventually be switching to DCC but for now am only at the wiring stage.
Thanks
Montana Dave
Dave,
Try this site for an electronic unit to do what you want.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/Index.html
Dave
I'm in the same boat but just far enough ahead of you that I think I can help.
I bought an NTE Electronics momentary SPDT miniature toggle switch, #54-330. I bought it from a local electronics retail outlet, but you should be able to find it online if you don't have a similar outlet nearby. Miniatronics has a page of switches here:
http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=3_6
Circuitron (which has outstanding customer service, BTW), Dallee.com, MCM Electronics, and All Electronics are some alternative vendors.
You didn't ask, but I've had trouble finding a 16V wall transformer to power the Peco but finally succeeded at Dallee, Item #690 or 990, depending on amperage.
I still haven't found the 9V or 12V DC converter with screw terminals I need for my Tortoises--can anybody help?
If you need help wiring the Peco as I did, there's an excellent thread in the Layouts & Layout Building forum, Switch Machine Wiring, started by jkroft 03/04/2006 that saved the day for me. There's also an online tutorial from the UK that might help here:
http://www.users.bigpond.com/draconus/photo.htm#Wiring%20a%20PECO%20PL10%20point%20motor
Rick Krall
The toggle switch you want is a Single-Pole, Double-Throw (SPDT) momentary-contact toggle. You can get these at pretty much any electronics place. Depending on where you live, there may be a retail store close by, or you can order them online. They're relatively inexpensive, like a dollar or less each, but the shipping will get you unless you first decide on all the stuff you want and then put in a big order.
This will not provide any indication of the current position of the turnout. For that, I'd suggest getting the little gadget that goes on the bottom of the Peco machine. It provides a SPDT contact set, but it's not momentary so it can be used to drive a LED. You can get an appropriate dual-color Red-Green LED from the same places that have the toggles. The attachment for the switch machine is a train item.
Peco turnouts have a small spring that holds the points against the stock rails. Overcoming the force of this spring requires a strong switch machine, so you need a machine like the Peco to do it. This, in turn, requires more power than, for example, an Atlas twin-coil machine. So, most of us who use Peco machines recommend a capacitive discharge unit. One unit can be used to drive all of your turnouts. It also protects the switch machines in the event of a sticky toggle. A CD circuit can be bought off-the-shelf, or you can build one for a few dollars.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Further to MisterBeasley's post, Circuitron has a CDU made up for $30 or thereabouts. I've seen them elsewhere online as well. I bought mine; I believe MisterBeasley built his. Based on the circuitry I see soldered on the back of my CDU, I also believe MisterBeasley works on the Space Shuttle in his spare time.
The heart of a CD circuit is 2 resistors and 2 capacitors. You do, however, have to drive it with DC voltage. Most of the off-the-shelf units are designed to be plugged into the wall, so they need a transformer and some filtering stuff, which makes them far more complicated. Some circuits include "fluff" like a Ready light, too.
Yeah, I'm interested in the Shuttle. I'll probably need it when it's time to go back home to Vulcan.
Atlas makes a neat item called Snap Relay (Atlas part no. 200) specially designed for this purpose.It can be connected in parallel with your turnout motor,so throwing your turnout will also throw it in either direction.Temporary power is needed but it stays put until power is applied to the other terminal to thow it in the other direction.It is like an electrically powered DPDT switch.You could use one set of terminals for a lamp(s) and the second set for some other use like feeding frogs,etc.
I have been using Peco switches for many years, and yes I run DCC. However, on the Peco switches that have Peco machines I usually use the extended throw so the switch machine is hidden. I have the track schematic on the facia board at the location of the switches. Thus I simply mount the single pole/double throw toggle on the facia schematic, and rely on the direction of the toggle handle to indicate which way the switch is thrown. I have always believed in the KISS macro, and it hasn't failed me for 50 years or more. On the other hand, if you like to spend money on gizmos and circuits and lights, go right ahead.
Bob