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Toggle "specs" for wiring DCC terminal / staging tracks ???

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • 1,317 posts
Posted by Seamonster on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 3:11 PM
How about automotive switches? The kind that mount under the dash for controlling aftermarket add-ons in a car. They have high amperage ratings, but I don't know if they come in anything other than just on-off configurations.

..... Bob

Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)

I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)

Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 7:24 AM

Hi!

Your advice makes perfect sense, for "amps is amps" whether relating to house or MR currents.  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

At age 65, this is probably my last layout, and I'm trying new things (DCC), and want to do them right.

 Thanks,

Mobilman44

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Sebring FL
  • 842 posts
Posted by floridaflyer on Monday, June 1, 2009 5:36 PM

I use the full size DPDT and the are rated at 10 Amp. Plenty of capacity for my Zepher at 2.5 amps and would work for you at 5 amps.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Toggle "specs" for wiring DCC terminal / staging tracks ???
Posted by mobilman44 on Monday, June 1, 2009 5:14 PM

Hi!

I'm almost at the point of wiring in a toggle switch for two sets of staging tracks that are coincidently individual blocks on my DCC HO layout now under construction.  I'm using a 5 amp Digitrax system with an extra booster and eight blocks routed thru two DCC specialties PSX4 breakers.

As I have a few (and they are typically more available), I intend to use DPDT toggles, and in the case of the staging tracks, wire the two bus wires (14awg) to the toggle, with the other sides going out to the circuit breakers and on to the booster.  My question is, What minimum specs would I need for the toggle switches to assure they don't burn out and provide a good flow?

The loco terminal tracks will also go thru toggle switches, but I believe I can route the feeder wires (20awg) thru the toggles as the runs will be relatively short.

You know, its often "funny" how things like wiring a layout can seem so clear and easy on paper or in your mind, but when you get down to actually doing it, a lot of issues - mostly minor so far - come up.

Thanks!

Mobilman44 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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