i have a swing gate contructed on my layout and am at the wiring stage. I have read / seen posts that suggest a MICRO Switch wired in to cut off power to a section track leading to the gate when opened.
I need some help figuring out how to wire these in and where to source them.
Thanks in advance,
Bart
A switch like the one pictured here is probably what you want:
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=75016
Position it so that when your swing gate is closed, the spring arm is depressed. When you open the gate, the spring arm will swing out slightly breaking the contact. Most of these come with wiring instructions but if not, with a battery, a light bulb and some test leads you can learn.
Good luck.
Bart,
What you are basically doing is creating a section of isolated track ( cut a gap in one rail) leading to the swing gate and the switch has a wire from the isolated track (just one rail is OK) and another wire to the powered track at the other side of the gap. When the gate is swung open the switch opens and cuts power to the section of track that has the gap, thus preventing any loco from running off the open track. When the gate is closed, the switch closes and sends power back to the isolated track. Hope this is what you are looking for without and actual diagram. Most micro switches are labeled on the side with open and closed cirucits shown. As was mentioned, you can get a small light bulb, a battery and some wire (or use a multmeter) and test the contacts on the switch to see which opens and which closes.
-Bob
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Bob and Roger,
Thanks for the direction and outline. That switch looks like it will work just fine. A wiring thought,,,I have two tracks crossing the gate...will I be able to use just one switch to cut the power to each track by wiring the the power leads from each track together?
If you are currtenty powering both tracks from the same source (DCC bus, or DC same circuit) then you only need to wire them together as you suggested. If you need separate control of the two tracks (assuming that would be DC) then you can get a Double Pole switch, either Single Throw (DPST) or Double Throw (DPDT). You could also use two micro switches mounted together so they operate simultaneously if you can't find a double pole switch.
PS: Here are some that will work. This is where I buy most of my electronic stuff.
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/727/Switches-Snap-Action/1.html