Correct DCC board for switch?

[LrngToFly]

Hello-

I'm just getting into model railroading (going to work on a track with my kids) since I was a kid.  I'm planning to put together a DCC system.

I'm having a little bit of a tough time making my way through some of the lingo.

I'm interested in using an Atlas switch that has the motor built in.  I read that most prefer a manual switch and use a "Tortoise box" but I'd like to try motorized switches like this:

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/atlas-ho-547-code-83-track-22-right-hand-remote-snap-switch/

Is this the correct board to control these types of switches: ?

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/nce-524153-qsnap-mk2-control-for-4-twin-coil-switch-machines/

This is the one for a Tortoise Box, but again, I'd like to try the route of using a motorized switch.

https://www.traintekllc.com/nce-switch-8-mk-2-stationary-decoder/

This "twin coil switch" lingo is confusing me a bit.  I don't see that term on any actual switch- just the NCE circuit board.

Thanks for your help!

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

The short answer is yes, if you want to control the switches (turnouts) through DCC, the first board you referenced will do it.  But, much simpler, at least in the short term, would be to just control them with these: https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/atlas-56-switch-control-box/

As far as "twin coil", the Atlas turnout comes with a switch motor that consists basically of two electromagnets (coils).  When one is energized, it pulls a control one way, the other pulls it the other way.  When the turnout throws using these "motors" there is a rather loud, "snap", hence the name.  In the real world, turnouts thow much more slowly, which is what happens if one uses the Tortoise.  the Tortoise would also be more reliable, as it always presses the turnout into position, whereas the Snap throws it, and the design of the turnout encourages it to hopefully stay there.

[LrngToFly]

Thanks much for the informative reply!  Yeah, I can see why some would want the tortoise lever system.  I guess I don't yet want to deal with the (probably just a bit) more complicated install of them though, but I am dazzeled by the thought of DCC controlled switches, so I figure the snap turnouts are a good compromise.

Something tells me I should just go with fully manual switches until I get my legs under me, but...  

[BigDaddy]

LrngToFly

This is the one for a Tortoise Box, but again, I'd like to try the route of using a motorized switch. https://www.traintekllc.com/nce-switch-8-mk-2-stationary-decoder/

The terminology is hard because it is inconsisent.  A snap switch is a turnout.  A toggle switch is a switch.  A tortoise is a turnout motor, it has internal switches.  Best to think of the track itself as a turnout.  Atlas Snap Switches have plastic frogs, which can never be powered and are considered less prototypical than customline turnouts.  Customline turnouts are different in frog powering and prototypical design

Tortoises can also be called switch machines but they are not manual in the sense that a Caboose Hobbies ground throw is manual.  http://www.cabooseind.com/

Tortoises can be controled by a physical switch, which is easier than trying to use your DCC controller to operate turnouts.   There are DCC decoders to which that button or switch can connect to, that control that turnout or multiple turnouts to route a train through multiple turnouts.

 I would not use snap switches.  The other thing is that twin coil switch machines work more reliably with a blast of electricity.  This is often used:

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/circuitron-800-5303-snapper-switch-machine-power-supply/

 

[mfm37]

The Atlas turnout you linked has a twin-coil type motor. the NCE "Snap-It" is designed to control twin coil switch motors safely. Twin coils work well but they do have one major issue. They can be easily burned up if the power is left on them too long. The NCE decoder has a built in capacitive discharge unit that will only allow a momentary burst. This keeps the switch motor from being burned up.

The MK4 that you linked will control up to 4 separate twin coil turnouts. If you have a single turnout, NCE also has the "Snap-It" which handles a single turn out. MK4 is 4 of the Snap-Its on a single board.

Martin Myers

[bearman]

Do NOT use the Atlas snap control box for the Atlas snap switch.  You are better off with an SPDT (on-off-on) toggle switch.  I have no experience with the NCE board.

[rrinker]

 But not just ANY SPDT toggle, it must be MOMENTARY. Back in the day I used Atlas SNap Track turnouts exclusively, in N and HO, and never had a problem with their (rather cheap) control boxes - AFTER I added a capacitor discharge power supply. This keeps a stuck button from frying the switch motor. And they seemed to get stuck less, too. In fact, quite rarely. perhaps the oones today are less well made and stick more often.

                                    --Randy

 

[bearman]

You are correct Randy.  momentary on-Off-momentary on, and the switch should just be flicked.  Randy, as of not to long ago those Atlas boxes were in fact still cheap.

[mfm37]

Nothing like the smell of burning switch machine :-(