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Powering frogs on Atlas code 83 remote turnouts

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  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 713 posts
Powering frogs on Atlas code 83 remote turnouts
Posted by trwroute on Friday, December 14, 2018 9:08 AM

I am building a very small HO layout and need to power the frogs on 2 turnouts.  I have used caboose ground throws with microswitches, and Tortoise switch motors in the past, but there is absolutely zero room for either one. 

So, I'm thinking about using the Atlas motor and somehow powering the frog, which is a must because of the extremely short motive power.

Is it possible to power the frog with the Atlas switch motor?

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Friday, December 14, 2018 9:30 AM

You can use a Atlas Snap Relay for powering the frog but it will need to be activated separately from an external momentary switch.
 
EDIT:
 
You could just use a SPDT toggle switch and not use a relay.
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 713 posts
Posted by trwroute on Friday, December 14, 2018 9:58 AM

Sounds like I could use the relay and wire it to the momentary switch that operates the switch motor.   No extra steps to operate both the turnout and powering the frog. 

That's exactly what I needed to know. 

Thanks Mel!

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 2,268 posts
Posted by NeO6874 on Friday, December 14, 2018 1:51 PM

Relay will only switch contacts so long as the coil has power - no power, and it swaps back to the other position.

-Dan

Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,227 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 14, 2018 3:25 PM

NeO6874
Relay will only switch contacts so long as the coil has power

A regular relay, that's true. The "Snap Relay" is just like the Atlas switch machine, dual coil with an armature in it. Continuous power will overheat the iron core and smoke the coil.

https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-51-snap-relay.aspx

 

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, December 15, 2018 6:22 PM

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,333 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, December 16, 2018 10:21 AM

If you are powering two machines at the same time, you might need a capacitive discharge circuit to provide more power when you hit the button to throw the two machines simultaneously.

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

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