Atlas Turnout Control With SPDT Switch

[Gregory L Schneider]

Are Atlas turnouts wired to the DC  power supply output buss, or an AC output? I have seen a diagram showing a SPDT switch wired to AC power supply output and the Atlas turnout. Is this correct?  I am wiring for DCC using a 5 AMP DPDT center off momentary microswitch, wired to the DC buss for my programing track. If the turnout and relay  are wired to AC will it short out?

[Steven Otte]

The turnout's frog should be wired to the SPDT switch to select between the two stock rails. If you operate with DC, that's DC. If you operate with Digital Command Control, it's the DCC power bus (which is quasi-AC). Under no circumstances should your turnout be wired to a separate AC power source. (Unless you have an AC-powered locomotive, which are obsolete and quite rare.)

[SeeYou190]

Gregory L Schneider

Are Atlas turnouts wired to the DC  power supply output buss, or an AC output?

Since you are running DCC, I am assuming your question is for the turnout motor.

It should be wired to AC through a momentary SPDT center off switch (or partial contacts on a Mom DPDT C/O switch) to select the path through the turnout.

If your Atlas turnouts have switch motors factory installed they most likely have plastic frogs that cannot be powered.

Gregory L Schneider

I have seen a diagram showing a SPDT switch wired to AC power supply output and the Atlas turnout. Is this correct? 

If the wiring is for turnout motor control as shown below.

-Kevin

[MisterBeasley]

An Atlas pushbutton controller for twin-coil machines is actually just a SPDT momentary contact controller.  I believe Atlas machines will work on either AC or DC.

You should buy or make a Capacitive Discharge circuit for your twin-coil machines.  One's enough for a room-sized layout.  It will provide a better "kick" for turnouts at the end of long wire runs, or multiple turnouts on the same toggle like crossovers.  It also protects turnout machines in case the toggle sticks closed.  All that for two resistors and two capacitors!

[BroadwayLion]

MisterBeasley

You should buy or make a Capacitive Discharge circuit for your twin-coil machines. One's enough for a room-sized layout.

Yessss,  LION tried this.  All him had left was a burned out capacitiver controler.

LION USES TORTOISE switch machines.

Here is tower of LION

 

_{Inside of GRS machine of LION. SPDT microswitches are already covered.}

Inside are spdt micro switches. Levers in is normal, pull out to reverse the circuit. You can see even without thinking if your tower is in its normal position.

+12v DC (red wire) and -12v DC (green wire) are wired to the micro switch, the common line (or the stinger) goes out to the particular turnout. The local turnout has its opposite pole connected to the GROUND bus at what ever location the turnout is at.

4 Beese (Buses) are along the fascia of the layout. These are:

1) GROUND--Must be connected to the hard building ground otterwise you get stray voltages on it.

2) TRACTION--This is the 600 volt third rail. (Ok it is really +10v Reculated DC)

3) SIGNAL--+16v DC enervating the read switches controling signal relays.

4) HOTEL -- +12v DC for all other lighting on the layout.

SIMPLE, YES.... LIONS like to keep things SIMPLE

 

[Gregory L Schneider]

Thanks to all who responded. Your comments are much appreciated.