I am looking for pictures and wiring instruction for in-fascia control boards in DCC. What I want to do is to have mine with bi-color lights or multi-light indicators for switch directon. I don't want a single control board for the whole layout, but rather want the indicators on the fascia under the switch so as multiple people use the layout they aren't blocking the only indicators. The Feb 09 Model Railroader, page 41, has a photograph of a layout with a similar board (but it's small - you may have to squint). I posted this (in less detail) under layouts - and appreciate the responses I got - but am needing some direction on the wiring of the indicators.
Thanks!
Ray
What sort of turnout controls and switch motors do you use? It's super-simple with Tortoise motors, you can put LEDs in series witht eh switch motor, no resistors required. You can use either regualr color LEDs or a pair of bi-color LEDs - with the bicolor LEDs, you can hook it up so that the line route is green and the open side is red. Change the position and the lights will flip.
If you use solenoid switch machines you'll need a bit of extra work - for Atlas you can add a Snap Relay in parallel with the switch motor and this will give you a set of contacts you can use to turn the LEDs on and off.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
ramoutandabout I am looking for pictures and wiring instruction for in-fascia control boards in DCC. What I want to do is to have mine with bi-color lights or multi-light indicators for switch directon. I don't want a single control board for the whole layout, but rather want the indicators on the fascia under the switch so as multiple people use the layout they aren't blocking the only indicators. The Feb 09 Model Railroader, page 41, has a photograph of a layout with a similar board (but it's small - you may have to squint). I posted this (in less detail) under layouts - and appreciate the responses I got - but am needing some direction on the wiring of the indicators. Thanks! Ray
Is this what you had in mind ?
It isn't totally flush with the facia. I angle it upwards slightly for better viewing. The LEDs are in-line with the Tortoises which are driven by Digitrax DS64s and the pushbuttons for local control. The DS64s can also be triggered by the throttle. The LEDs are bi-color with green for closed and red for thrown.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
guess i have not really decide, id like to go tortise but there kindy spendy, but i am leaning that way. anyones help or pics would be apprecatied
thanks again
ray
The diagrams for hooking up a Tortoise are in the manual. You cna get them for as low as $13 if you check online - even in singles, despite the $19 MSRP. When i saw an ad selling the Bluepoint manyal controls (pretty much a Tortoise without the motor - it mounts the same way and even looks similar, but you hook up a manual control rod to oeprate it) and claiming a 'bargain' at $10 - it's a no-brainer, Tortoise all the way.
Anyway, the diagrams show you how to hook up the basic motor. You need a 2-lead bicolor LED, and you break one of the wires to teh Tortoise motor (pin 1 or 8) and insert the LED. When the Tortoise goes one way, the LED will be red, when it goes the other way, it will be green. You can use two of the LEDs and one will be red and th eother green - if not just turn one around so they are opposite colors. No resistors are needed because of the design of the Tortoise motor - it only flows about 15ma max which is well within the 'safe' range of most any LED.
exactly !! thanks but what does the digitrax devise do? please send lots more pics
The Digitrax DS64 sort of 'repalces' the power supply and toggle switch. The two wires for the Tortoise motor hook up to the DS64, and DCC commands cause it to operate the Torotise. If you aren't using DCC, or don;t want to operate your turnouts via DCC, you'd have no use for it. It's a little more complicated in that panel, as the DS64 can also act as an input device and generate the DCC signals needed to control things - which is how I think that panel is configured, Pushing a button on it triggers a DS64 which sends out a DCC command to operate a specific turnout.
im plannin on using dcc i have purchased a prodigy express, and the more i read and here im fairly certain ill go tortoise
thanks
For the control panel feedback you desire you might as well go Tortise for the simplicity alone. If you use twin coil switch machines, the money saved will be minimal once you add the extra wiring and components needed to have feedback on turnout direction at the control panel, IMO.
If I was going to use twin coil machines I would be really tempted to use these to control the turnouts.
Electronic Turnout Switch
thank you! i really do appreciate all your input. thanks guyes!