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Solid State Replacement for Atlas Snap Relay

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  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Ponte Vedra, FL USA
  • 129 posts
Solid State Replacement for Atlas Snap Relay
Posted by mrnimble on Saturday, February 1, 2014 9:48 AM

I am looking for a solid state replacement for the Atlas #200 Snap Relay (double pole, double throw) or a latching relay equivalent that can be operated with DS-64 output.  I have several of these under the layout to control my scenery lighting.  They are very loud operating and cause a distraction to visitors.  I have done some searches on several popular electronics sites but am presented with hundreds of relay specs to look through.  My bet is someone has a bead on exactly the relay I need.  Thanks in advance if you could just point me in the right direction.  Geoff

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, February 1, 2014 10:49 AM

 Don't know of any that are just a imple unit to hook up as a direct replacement. Don;t think you would actually find an electronic equivalent of a snap relay. A circuit driven off the DS64 set to the stall motor mode, maybe.

 However - look at the Aux-Box. It is pretty much what you want. A DCC stationary decoder that can switch on and off high current loads, all solid state. No clicking relays.

          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Ponte Vedra, FL USA
  • 129 posts
Posted by mrnimble on Sunday, February 2, 2014 10:43 AM

Thanks, Randy, but I had looked at the Aux-Box before and found it to be really overkill at $100+ to control a couple of circuits.  Perhaps "solid state" was too tight of a specification if even a quieter electromechanical equivalent could be found.  I'll keep looking.  Geoff

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, February 2, 2014 11:12 AM

What you want are latching relays. I have a couple that I got at All Electronics, but that was some years ago and I have not seen them in their catalog in quite some time. You may have better luck on their website, but...

 

Maybe some of these will do, I did not check the specs on any of them.

http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Relays/_/N-5g31?Keyword=Latching+Relays&gclid=CIH0iZb4rbwCFa5DMgodBnEAzg

LION builds his own latching relay. Actually it consists of two relays a 4PDT relay with a latching circuit on one of the poles and a second SPDT relay to break the latch circuit and release the main relay. Now you can work the main realy as if it were a latching relay.

ROAR

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, February 3, 2014 3:07 AM

Geoff,

I have excellent hearing. Out of the 45 snap relays that I have, used for frogs, panel lites and signals, I have yet to hear one. The undertable switch machines, I have you can hear them, but I want to. What do you have them mounted to, foam board? Mine are mounted to 1/2 ply, with 1/2 Homasote on top. I bought the snaps when they were 7.50, also never had one go bad, in 25yrs running. You might be able to find latching relays in bulk, at a surplus Electronic supplier. Do some simple Google searches.

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, February 3, 2014 1:33 PM

I've also got a few latching relays.  They have been in place for 7 or 8 years now with no problems.

I found that on mine, the polarity on the coils is important.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, February 3, 2014 5:50 PM

Instead of replacing the Atlas Snap relays, why not try covering them with something stuffed with sound deadening material.  

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