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Under table switch machines

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Under table switch machines
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 17, 2003 6:25 AM
My layout is DCC powered. I am going to use Atlas Code 83 custom turnouts, under table switch machines, and relays (to power the frog). The switch machines WILL be powered by a separate transformer. Question..Do I hook up the switch machine and relay acording to the instructions? (The relay must be connected to each rail, but with the DCC powering the rails, will this harm the relays??? Thanks, PJ

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Under table switch machines
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 17, 2003 6:25 AM
My layout is DCC powered. I am going to use Atlas Code 83 custom turnouts, under table switch machines, and relays (to power the frog). The switch machines WILL be powered by a separate transformer. Question..Do I hook up the switch machine and relay acording to the instructions? (The relay must be connected to each rail, but with the DCC powering the rails, will this harm the relays??? Thanks, PJ

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 17, 2003 8:52 AM
Shouldn't be a problem. 3 tips:
1/ Use a continuity tester to confirm that the frog polarity is correct (i.e. frog power is routed to appropriate rail) BEFORE turning on DCC power.
2/ For extra protection wire an 1156 taillight bulb in series with the frog wire.
3/ If you use DC power for the machines, you can wire a bi-color 2-wire LED in series with one of the motor leads (no resistor necessary) and get a handy display of direction...
HTH,
John
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 17, 2003 8:52 AM
Shouldn't be a problem. 3 tips:
1/ Use a continuity tester to confirm that the frog polarity is correct (i.e. frog power is routed to appropriate rail) BEFORE turning on DCC power.
2/ For extra protection wire an 1156 taillight bulb in series with the frog wire.
3/ If you use DC power for the machines, you can wire a bi-color 2-wire LED in series with one of the motor leads (no resistor necessary) and get a handy display of direction...
HTH,
John
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Friday, July 18, 2003 10:32 PM
PJ: the DCC power will be going through the relay contacts, not the coils, so there should be no problem.

--David

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Friday, July 18, 2003 10:32 PM
PJ: the DCC power will be going through the relay contacts, not the coils, so there should be no problem.

--David

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