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Atlas Connector vs. Twin switch machine Qs?

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Atlas Connector vs. Twin switch machine Qs?
Posted by kasskaboose on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 9:29 AM

Do I need the Atlas connector (#205) or the Twin (#210) in a stub-ended yard?  I read that I need a SPDT for a yard, but someone else said the DPDT? 

 Also, could I use either one with a tortoise swtich machine?  If so, how?

TIA!

Lee

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Phoenixville, PA
  • 3,495 posts
Posted by nbrodar on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 10:30 AM

Are you using DC or DCC?

 The Connector is 3 DPST on-off switches.  The Twin is 2 DPDT reversing switches. If you are looking for SPDT switches, you need the Selector #215.   But remember the Atlas wiring components are designed for use with Common Rail wiring.

Tortoises could be controlled by a Twin, just run wires from the terminals at the top of the Twin to pin 1 and 8 of the Tortoise.  The Twin's internal wiring will take care of changing the polarity of the control power.

If you use a bi-polar power supply (- + ground) you could use Selectors, by connecting the ground to one pin, and a wire from the top of the Selector to the other.  You would have to supply the - feed to one side terminal and the + feed to the other.

It will work, but it's a rather ungainly way to do it.  And depending on how many you need, at 10 buck a pop, the cost will add up quickly.

Nick

Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/

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