Looking for low voltage relay for AC accessories (like on a standard HO train set).I am interested in finding low voltage relays that can trigger standard AC track accessory voltage. Circuitron has a product called the TC-2 that does what I want:http//www.circuitron.com/index_files/ins/800-5605ins.pdfThe TC2 is $40, which is pricey for the number I would need to buy.Pricom has something called "Dream Power Switcher"http://www.pricom.com/Trains/DreamSwitcherPower.shtmlThis has 4 relays for $29. This is affordable, but I can't tell that it supports AC power (like the accessories on a standard HO power transformer). I've emailed Pricom a number of times and can't get a response from them.Does anyone have a line on something that might do what I'm looking for that isn't as costly as the TC-2?
Website: http://bobfrey.auclair.com
passenger1955 Looking for low voltage relay for AC accessories (like on a standard HO train set).I am interested in finding low voltage relays that can trigger standard AC track accessory voltage. Circuitron has a product called the TC-2 that does what I want:http//www.circuitron.com/index_files/ins/800-5605ins.pdfThe TC2 is $40, which is pricey for the number I would need to buy.Pricom has something called "Dream Power Switcher"http://www.pricom.com/Trains/DreamSwitcherPower.shtmlThis has 4 relays for $29. This is affordable, but I can't tell that it supports AC power (like the accessories on a standard HO power transformer). I've emailed Pricom a number of times and can't get a response from them.Does anyone have a line on something that might do what I'm looking for that isn't as costly as the TC-2?
You definitely need to provide more information on what you are trying to do, as the two references are totally different. The TC-2 is built explicity to control twin coil snap swith machines (e.g. atlas switch machines) and work with their DT-4 detection although you can toggle the turnout with a pushbutton. The TC-2 works that whenever a train approaches the turnout from the point side it will toggle which direction the turnout allows the train to go, or you can toggle it with the pushbutton as shown in their instructions.
The Dream power switcher simply turns on a DPDT (double pole double throw) relay when five volts is applied to the correct control input, which they do by holding down a pushbutton in their example video. If you want to turn on/off an AC accessory like a street or bulding light then you could use this and replace the push button with a toggle switch, but that is really a waste as you could just use a toggle switch to control the accessory directly. If you wanted some kind of automated control from a microcontroller (arduino, raspberrypi) then this would be the way to go, although cheaper alternatives have been already mentioned.
If you want to control twin-coil switch machines the Dream power switcher is not the way to go. There are other options out there, for example Berrett Hill touch toggles Snap Action Twin-Coil 3-wire system. His system gives you four touch toggles (think of them as lighted pushbuttons) and a control base for $63, and that controls four turnouts.