How to add LED’s to my PECO Insulfrog Turnout?

[gdelmoro]

Hi all, I have all Atlas switches on my layout except for one PECO turnout. With the Atlas I use an Atlas snap relay with each switch to connect the LED’s.

This is the wiring for the PECO turnout. How do I add Indicator LED’s?

[RR_Mel]

I use latching relays to operate my LED turnout indicators.  I went with small 5 volt relays for cost, they’re much cheaper than 12 volt latching relays.  I put a 100Ω ¼ watt resistor in series with the common coil lead to reduce the 12 volts so it doesn’t ding the 5 volt coils.

 

I use a 16 pin DIP socket so that they are removal and I don’t have to worry about soldering to the tiny pins on the relay.

 

 

 

The DS2E-ML-5VDC relays are available at almost any electronics parts store, I by mine off eBay.

 

 

 

I use Amazing Goop to glue the socket next to the turnout control switch in my control panel. Click on the picture to expand the reading.

 

 

EDIT:

 

Here is an optional circuit for using a single bicolor LED.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[rrinker]

 You need something extra, either the latching relays Mel showed, or the PL-13 contacts to add to the PL-10/11 switch motors. None of that easy stuff of just hooking LEDs in line works with solenoid type momentary switch machines.

                             --Randy

 

[mikeGTW]

Or you can get one or two of these  

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/751D.HTM

[gdelmoro]

mikeGTW

Or you can get one or two of these  

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/751D.HTM

 

So is the PL11 a single or dual coil?  Which set-up do I need?

[gmpullman]

The Atlas 200 Snap Relay would work here, too:

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/atlas-200-snap-relay/

 

In your earlier (2016) thread you mention that you already have some?

 

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/259518.aspx

 

Good Luck, Ed

[mikeGTW]

Peco use twin coil just like atlas   so the 751D    I got the kit ones for me easy assembly  And I can locate the leds anywhere I want

[mikeGTW]

Like Ed say's the atlas snap relay will work  I just like the 751D cause it comes with everything in one package

[gdelmoro]

rrinker

 You need something extra, either the latching relays Mel showed, or the PL-13 contacts to add to the PL-10/11 switch motors. None of that easy stuff of just hooking LEDs in line works with solenoid type momentary switch machines.

                             --Randy

 

 

will the Atlas Snap relay work?  Looks like I can hook up the same as I do with the Atlas switches.

[mikeGTW]

Gary If you have extra atlas snap relay's by all means use them  they will work just fine   I have over 40 of the 751's  and all other I use the tortoise machines

[gdelmoro]

This is how I wired my atlas switches Looks like it should work with the PECO.

[gdelmoro]

mikeGTW

Gary If you have extra atlas snap relay's by all means use them  they will work just fine   I have over 40 of the 751's  and all other I use the tortoise machines

 

great thanks Mike

[RR_Mel]

mikeGTW

Peco use twin coil just like atlas   so the 751D    I got the kit ones for me easy assembly  And I can locate the leds anywhere I want

 

Mike

 

I’m curious, after the power has been turned off and back on do the switch machines have to be operated to get the position indication or do they remember the position of the turnout?

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[gdelmoro]

The relays are really just a switch so the LED’s remain in the correct position even after the layout is turned off then on, until you flip the switch.

[mikeGTW]

Mel If you mean the 751's   yes they stay lit to whatever postiton the turnout is set to So even if I can't see the turnout I can see the leds and know which position it's in. They act allmost like a mini cd unit  with memory

[mikeGTW]

Gary  that will work just fine

[RR_Mel]

Mike

 

Thanks Mike, I had visited their site a year ago or so and they didn’t say they had memory so I passed on them.  I get a pretty good price on the relays (10 for $15.80) off eBay.  I currently have relays on all of my turnouts but I’m going to keep them in mind for the future.

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[MisterBeasley]

I've got a couple of Pecos with indicator lights, and I went with the simple solution, the PL-13.  It's an SPDT toggle, effectively, that is mechanically thrown by the action of the Peco switch machine.  It is right there at the switch machine, so I find it the right way to for on-layout signals.

[gdelmoro]

MisterBeasley

I've got a couple of Pecos with indicator lights, and I went with the simple solution, the PL-13.  It's an SPDT toggle, effectively, that is mechanically thrown by the action of the Peco switch machine.  It is right there at the switch machine, so I find it the right way to for on-layout signals.

 

That would be simple but you need to have the under table PECO switch motor to attach the 13 to. As I understand it.  Under layout switch in this locations was not an option for me.

[nealknows]

The Atlas snap relay itself can be powered by the same current you use for the Peco switches, which is what I do. The relay sides is where you would hook up LED's powered by another pwoer supply, whatever the LED's use. I have 12V DC LED indicator lights on my panel and I use  9V wall wart to power them. Works like a charm!

Neal

[zstripe]

Should anyone need them.......In fig's 4 and 5 you would use a DC power supply for LED's instead of AC, like they show.........

Take Care! 

Frank

 

[gdelmoro]

Thanks for all the replies. My concern was the integration of the CDU. I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t harm the Snap relay. Got it figured out and will wire this weekend.

[MisterBeasley]

gdelmoro

Thanks for all the replies. My concern was the integration of the CDU. I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t harm the Snap relay. Got it figured out and will wire this weekend.

This thread picked up a problem and it took us a while to figure it out:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/269472.aspx

The issue was a Miniatronics CDU, which seems to be much too powerful by design and burns out Atlas switch machines.  Since the Atlas snap relay is basically an Atlas switch machine, you should avoid that particular CDU.

[gdelmoro]

MisterBeasley

 

 

gdelmoro

Thanks for all the replies. My concern was the integration of the CDU. I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t harm the Snap relay. Got it figured out and will wire this weekend.

 

 

This thread picked up a problem and it took us a while to figure it out:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/269472.aspx

The issue was a Miniatronics CDU, which seems to be much too powerful by design and burns out Atlas switch machines.  Since the Atlas snap relay is basically an Atlas switch machine, you should avoid that particular CDU.

 

Mine is a Circuitron Snapper

[gdelmoro]

Installed and working!  Thanks for the replies.