atlas switches

[Anonymous]

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO WIRE UP AN HO SNAP SWITCH. I JUST PURCHASED A PAIR OF RIGHT MANUAL NICKEL SILVER SWITCHES WHERE YOU WIRE THE SWITCH THERE ARE JUST THREE HOLES .I CANNOT PUT S SCREW IN AS THERE IS NOTHING THREADED FOR THE SCREW TO GO INTO AND HOLD ONTO NO WERE TO WIRE THEM UP . [e-mail]

[rogerhensley]

The screws AND nuts come with the Atlas switch machine. It snaps into place and then you fasten it with the screw and nut combination.

Roger

[Anonymous]

If they're manual, you'll have to buy the Atlas Switch Machines (or another compatible brand) for "remote" operation. The three holes you're referring to are snap-in lugs to attach the switch machines. The wiring terminals are on the switch machines.

If you want to keep the turnouts manual, then you need to get Caboose Industries' Ground Throws (or something similar). Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it sounds like you thought you were getting the "remote snap switch", which looks the same as the manual one you have, with the exception of the threaded inserts, screws, and other electrical stuff to make it work "remotely". The manual version you have LOOKS the same, (has the same plastic housing/switch actuating mechanism) but has no electrical parts (besides the track itself.) You can purchase the switch machines separate, preferably the under-table kind, Atlas makes them, but I've heard the best are Tortoise slow motion. The Atlas ones work, but the movement has some slop in it so you have to drill a large hole under your turnout and mount it carefully. I haven't hooked up my Tortoise ones yet, so can't comment.
If you want to control a light indicator for the position of the switch, and/or to power an insulated frog you have to buy a "snap relay" for the Atlas. The Tortoise already has the relay built-in. The insulated frog is on the #4 and #6 switches, I'd recommend them over the tight snap switches, unless you want the simplicity of laying out a simple oval with 18" sectional track. I'd recommend building a simple layout from Atlas' layout book instead.
Dean