rjake4454I can't afford block detection right now on all of my signals, so I was wondering what kind of switch to buy for manually operating a PRR position signal (specifically by NJ international). I understand I will need a "3 way" switch, but where can I buy one of these, am I likely to find one in radio shack? Also, there are several types I think, some I have seen are "on off on", "on __on" etc. My signal has one gray ground wire, and 4 black wires. The really confusing thing is how I control the single bulb on the mast that rests below the 7 position lights. Do I have to solder 2 wires to the wire that controls this bulb? Sorry, its hard to explain, and its late.
I can't afford block detection right now on all of my signals, so I was wondering what kind of switch to buy for manually operating a PRR position signal (specifically by NJ international).
I understand I will need a "3 way" switch, but where can I buy one of these, am I likely to find one in radio shack? Also, there are several types I think, some I have seen are "on off on", "on __on" etc. My signal has one gray ground wire, and 4 black wires. The really confusing thing is how I control the single bulb on the mast that rests below the 7 position lights. Do I have to solder 2 wires to the wire that controls this bulb?
Sorry, its hard to explain, and its late.
Lee
Phoebe Vet http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062536 Does that mean the million years have passed?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062536
Does that mean the million years have passed?
Maybe Randy meant that a million years from now you won't be able to find those switches at Radio Shack.
Alton Junction
MisterBeasley I'm not sure how this particular signal is wired. I'd imagine that one of the wires is for the center bulb, which should always be on. The other wires would be for the horizontal, diagonal and vertical pairs. Is that right? How about a rotary switch? Radio $hack even has them. If you get one with the right number of positions, you could even set it up so that the position of the switch matches the indicators.
I'm not sure how this particular signal is wired. I'd imagine that one of the wires is for the center bulb, which should always be on. The other wires would be for the horizontal, diagonal and vertical pairs. Is that right?
How about a rotary switch? Radio $hack even has them. If you get one with the right number of positions, you could even set it up so that the position of the switch matches the indicators.
Probably. There should be a wiring diagram included to explain that. There should be a common for all, plus the center light, the 3 pairs for the signal aspects, and one for the extra light.
A rotary switch would work. With enough positions you could even turn on the extra indicator, although then the position would not match the signal aspect.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Phoebe VetDoes that mean the million years have passed?
Yes. And my pre-orders still haven't shipped. But, no Kadee coupler has failed in service on my layout.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
You won't in a million years find such a switch at Radio Shack. You can get 3 and 4 position slide switches from places like Mouser and DigiKey. Almost all multiple position switches like this are slides. You probbaly want 4 - so you can have off plus the 3 aspects of the main head. The 'extra' light combines witht eh main head to provide additional aspects - look up a guide for signalling which will explain these. A simple on/off switch will work here, although the prototype often also had a flashing mode - if you're goign to get that complicated then you might as well install a signal controller but instead of operating it from block detectors control them manually.