Need some of you guys expert help. I am to the wiring phase of the layout and need to wire my Atlas snap switches. Not sure exactly what you officially call them but I want to make a control board (panel) that has the toggles mounted on it with indicator lights signaling which direction the snap switch is thrown. I would also like to add some dwarf signal lights on the layout. I have been told that the snap switch only needs current to switch, so how do I power everything else. Hope this is clear enough, if not please let me know thanks
is the decoder set for 128 speed step?
ok, lost me already lol
Steelman65 ok, lost me already lol
I think he's the one who's lost. I suspect that post was meant for another thread.
You need single-pole, double-throw momentary contact toggles. They are readily available from electronics places like Mouser or All Electronics. You can also get them at train shops packaged by Miniatronics, or even at Radio $hack. Electrically, these are the same as the Atlas buttons which come with the snap switches. You are better off avoiding the Atlas buttons. They have a high failure rate.
The indicator lights are a problem, though. As you noted, snap switches only take power when they are throwing. To provide power to indicator lights and signals, you need something that holds its state after power is removed. Typically, you would use a latching relay to do this. Again, the electronics places have these. Atlas makes "deluxe" switch machines which add this feature, but you've probably already got switch machines, and the "deluxe" models will cost you a lot more than relays.
There's a small company that makes a circuit board which includes a toggle and some latching electronics that will both drive a snap-switch and provide outputs for LEDs. I've installed a couple of these, and they work OK. The price is pretty reasonable if you buy their bulk-pack kit and assemble the circuit boards yourself. I'll try to remember to look them up when I get home later, and provide the web site.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I asume you are talking about the Atlas twin-coil switch machines? They require a 'momentary' pule of curent to throw them. Standard toggles will burn out the atlas switch machine quite fast as the contacts are always made when thrown. Momentary toggles will do the trick. They have a center off, and are spring loaded to each position. The problem is that you want to add panel of signal indicator lights - the momemtary contacts will not work. There are some compainies that have a small toggle with a circuit and LED's for panel operation - but the price is as much as the turnout!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
momentary toggles for the panel, and Atlas snap relays wired in line with the switch handles the operation of the lights/signals.
Here's a link to the circuits:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/751D.HTM
They can be purchased fully assembled or as a bag of parts with directions.