If you are talking twin coils (3 wire, it is possible using a momentary DPDT (non latching)
DO NOT USE LATCHING. They will burn out the coil if you leave them engaged for too long!
You could also get away with a SPDT non-latching and just connect the black wire to ground directly
top connection left = red wire
top connection right = black/blue wire (ground)
bottom connection left = green wire
bottom connection right = black/blue wire (ground)
center connection left = + power
center connection left = - power (ground)
This is non latching
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CW-Industries/GRS-4013C-0001/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtNT9UGfLL4eEXUF0YHaQ0Q9YzDc%2fWljMw%3d
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Buy or build a Capacitive Discharge (CD) circuit. This will give you a better jolt to throw the turnouts and protect the switch machines when (not if, when) one of the toggles sticks in the on position.
This has nothing to do with the original question, but you're at the stage when this advice will be the most helpful.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi,
To validate the above............ an SPDT with center off will work just fine. The only potential problem is leaving the toggle "up or down" as this will burn out the solenoid. The stock Atlas slide/push controllers prevent this from happening. Of course a spring loaded toggle will do the same.
ENJOY !
PS: Just kidding about the "validate" remark........ Many of the preceeding posters know a lot more about the subject than I do.
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
One slight (???) modification to the circuit posted by Broadway Lion will permit you to use the cheapest toggle switches without a spring-loaded center off, and the handle position will indicate the direction the points were last thrown.
Install a 3-5 amp capacity normally open pushbutton in the single wire from the panel switch to the switch machine. You set the toggle to choose which coil will get power, then push the button to move the points. Since the toggle contacts never make or break the circuit you can use low-capacity (Cheap!) toggles. The difference between the price of the cheap toggle and a good momentary SPDT will more than cover the cost of the button.
Do I practice what I just preached? Youbetchum. My 'choose the route' rotary switch is only rated 0.3A, and I substitute a contact stud for the button. I don't think anyone has ever burned out the stud of a probe-and-stud switch machine circuit. (Why a rotary? because I need 3p4t capability for interlocking and inter-panel signals.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
LION uses SPDT switches for this Tortoise switch machines.
Atlas snap machines are best serviced with a Dremmel Motor Tool. (End of Problem)
There are many ways to use a toggle switch to enervate twin coil machines. There used to be leaf switches that would do that, dad had bought several of these back in the 1950s, they are not easy to come by, but a big house like Mouser or Digi-Key will have them, just search Leaf Switches, and look for some that have both static and momentary contacts.
Yes a standard SPDT switch can do the job with a push button next to it will work and it is even prototypical.
The LION'S solution, him beeing CHEAP is this:
Another LION exclusive (not) is this:
The reason behind this arrangement is that wire is expensive, and there is no need to run two wires where one will do. If you've got a large layout, this is important.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
SPDT you mean.
No, they do not get wired exactly the same as the Atlas pushbuttons. The middle wire from the switch machines needs to go to one side of your power supply. The other side of the power supply goes to the middle terminal of the SPDT. The two outside wires from the Atlas machine go to the side terminals on the SPDT.
Remember is has to be a MOMENTARY switch.
Appearance is exactly the same as a DPDT toggle
The toggle handle will NOT indicate the turnout position like the button on the Atlas control boxes, for most common SPDT momentary toggles. The handle usually returns to center.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks, I will go the SPST route, it seems to be the best way for me to go, it would look better on my panel also, So, the Red wire, Black wire and the green wire would connect the same way as the on the Atlas snap buttons???
Yeah.SPDT. I was thinking the slow motion machine.
Look at the below link. Scroll down to, Circuit for 3 wire twin coil using capacitive discharge supply. Ignore the stuff below. If no capacitive discharge supply, connect the power from your power pack at the same point. One wire to the center of the switch and the other to the common of the twin coil.
http://www.awrr.com/indicator.html
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If you are talking about Atlas twin-selenoid switch macines attached to your Atlas turnouts - You will need 'momentary' toggle switches. Most DPDT toggles are not momentary in function. You will burn out your switch machines. You need one that is spring loaded so that it returns to the center 'off' position.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
You don't need the double pole, a single pole would do.
I used to use a single pole double throw with a normaly open push button wired across the feed wire to the common. Throw the toggle to the direction you want then push the button to "activate" the throw. This is nice because you have a visual indication of how the turnout was last thrown.
There are mini toggles out there that are SPST, spring-center off. These you would simply move the toggle to the way you want the coil to go (you should have all your turnouts labeled for N normal or R reverse)
Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-SPDT-Momentary-Mini-Toggle-Switches-On-Off-On-Center-off-turnout-control-/231810990680?hash=item35f9030258:g:xBAAAOSwwbdWQoRF
One wire to the center terminal of the coil, one wire to the common terminal of the switch, two wires—one from each leg of switch then to each outer screw of coil.
Good Luck, Ed
Any DPDT spring loaded switch will work just like an atlas switch. Has to be spring loaded as the coil can burn out if the switch does not spring back to center.
A Snapper will prevent that from happening. It is made to fire a twin coil machine when you operate the switch.
Just follow the same procedure you would use to connect an atlas controller.
Hi All,
I hope everyone had a great weekend, I have a question, is it possible to wire up DPDT switches to Atlas turnouts? I know all if not most switch panels that are built use the DPDT, but with Atlas trunouts have there own switches which I could use, but I think the DPDT would look better and not as bulky on the panel, can someone show a step by step how this could be done, or is it possible,
Thanks again , Trainsrme1