toggle switches to be used for turnouts

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Here's some more "voice of experience" suggestion.  After 25 years of looking and experimenting with ways of controlling Atlas twin-coil switch machines, the ideal method finally came through the internet for me.  The toggle switch is mounted on a simple little electronic unit which protects all contacts against pitting  or burnout, and operates LEDs that remain lighted to show which way the track turnout is set. You can buy ready-assembled units or build your own according to plans found at

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/Index.html    or by email: [e-mail]

I hope you will have great luck and satisfaction with whatever system you use, but plain old heavy-duty toggle switches have some serious drawbacks such as your other respondents have mentioned.

Happy New Year!      Bob

[tomikawaTT]

As has been stated, Atlas (and all other two coil) switch machines require a brief pulse of power to operate.  Unfortunately, a true momentary toggle will not indicate which route was last selected - the switch handle returns to center after you release it.

The way around this is to use a standard SPDT toggle switch, and wire the power connection to it through a heavy-duty pushbutton.  That way you can use the least-expensive micro-toggles, because they will never break or make high-power contact.  If I was assembling a control panel in that manner, I would put the toggle between the lines for diverging routes and the button at the point where the lines meet.

There are a plethora of ways to control twin-coil switch machines, ranging in expense and complication from hot probe and stud to multi-contact rotary switches in electrical interlocking schemes.  Where appropriate, I personally make use of both of the above.  I also use standard toggles as manual switch point actuators, connected to the points by mechanical linkages.

Just my , based on several decades of experience.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[bigguy69]

Hello To all  thankyou you for your answers and experiences Happy new years to all  and best of luck in 2009

thankyou again

Mark

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 The SPST toggle switches I use are all metal and can be found at any good auto parts store. My DPDT Center Off momentary contact switches came from Radio Shack. The wiring is quite easy. It only looks complicated.

[cacole]

 All Electronics or Jameco Electronics can't be beat for low prices on toggle switches.  You can get 10 or more for the price of 2 Radio Shack switches if you need to purchase them in bulk for a larger layout.

[jbinkley60]

jrbernier

  The Atlas switch machines require a momentary contact electrical switch.  What you need is a SPDT or DPDT momemtary toggle with a 'center off' position.  Your local RS may have some.  I used the sub-miniature ones and they failed within a year.  I should have used a CD power supply to prevent damage to the contacts.   Buy the standard full size ones that have a good current capacity rating.  Digikey or Mouser also have a wide selection of center off/momemtary switches.  You want 5-10 amp capacity ones.

  Looking through the Walthers catalog, Circuitron has 5 amp ones for $7.49/pair or $19.95/6.  They also list some momentary SPDT/DPDT toggles from Miniatronics(about the same price).

Jim

The Radio Shack part number is 275-509 . 

 

[jrbernier]

  The Atlas switch machines require a momentary contact electrical switch.  What you need is a SPDT or DPDT momemtary toggle with a 'center off' position.  Your local RS may have some.  I used the sub-miniature ones and they failed within a year.  I should have used a CD power supply to prevent damage to the contacts.   Buy the standard full size ones that have a good current capacity rating.  Digikey or Mouser also have a wide selection of center off/momemtary switches.  You want 5-10 amp capacity ones.

  Looking through the Walthers catalog, Circuitron has 5 amp ones for $7.49/pair or $19.95/6.  They also list some momentary SPDT/DPDT toggles from Miniatronics(about the same price).

Jim

[bigguy69]

hello all  ive been thinking about doing my control panel  and instead of using the switches that come with the atlas remote turnouts is there a type of toggle switch i can use in its place.   please and thankyou for your comments inadvants