Switches for command station etc

[wickman]

I would like to setup something so I can simply turn on a switch to turn power onto my Digitrax dcs200 rather than reaching down for the power bar switch , how do yous that have the well wired layout's setup power switches for yours? 
Also because I'm using Hares and Tortoise switches via Ds64's and have read that if the Tortoise power buss ( power comes from a dc command station DC output ) and command station is powered up at the same time ( power from power bar ) that the command station sends initial addresses over the Loconet which in turn makes the Tortoise switches Peco turnouts not start in the correct position, so I'd like to properly give the Ds64's power buss it's separate switch on the fascia as well. 
Can I please get some directions on how you's handle this scenario?

Thanks

Lynn

[gmpullman]

I doubt there are very many setups like mine. I borrowed an idea from motor control starter relays and made a box with a relay inside that will pull in when I press the start button:

E_stop-start by Edmund, on Flickr

 

This relay will hold for as long as the control "loop" is closed. If that loop opens for any reason the relay drops out and everything stops. I have various normally closed push buttons around the layout that are literally kill switches. 

E_stop-2 by Edmund, on Flickr

Most are recessed into the fascia. A holdover from the days when the layout was in DC-block control but these have also been handy in DCC operation, too.

E_stop-panel by Edmund, on Flickr

Lately, before shutting down I have been manually switching my boosters to "sleep" then the DCS-240 command station to sleep before killing layout power. My Loconet devices seem to like this method best.

A while back I bought some digital timers with the intent of building a three or four step startup-sequence device but this is still way off in the planning stage.

Good Luck, Ed

[wickman]

Wow Ed that is some setup. I like the idea of putting the command station to sleep before shutting down, mine beeps when I power it up always has. I got adventurous tonight and because one of my adjectives was to have a power toggle for the ds64s power buss I wired in a double pole toggle and mounted it on the fascia. i totally forgot to treat it as you would a lite switch using only 1 of the 2 wires and of course shorted out the dc power supply, but using the the wire into the toggle and then out on one end of the toggle worked.