Signal lights

[Anonymous]

Why not mount the PL-13 under the turnout directly and add a .050" wire between the two.
http://www.peco-uk.com/grafix/stream3.pdf

[steveblackledge]

MR did an article not long ago, can't remember the issue, same method as described by cacole above

[cwclark]

if you use manual turnouts then all you can do is throw a switch wired to lighting when you throw the turnout...you can also put a sp /st or a dp/dt slide switch under the layout that connects to your manual track throw.and wire it so that when you throw the track turnout throw it will change the lighting ( i saw an article not too long ago in MRR where a guy did that ..he drilled a hole in the switch and connected it to the turnout ..when he moved the throw from side to side the lights would change as the turnout would change positions..i've done this before using a brass tubing linkage and it doesn't work very well....you can also change your mind and automate!...use an Atlas switch machine with an Atlas Relay or install turnout machines with the Circuitron Tortoise brand...the tortoise can control LED lighting thru the wiring for the motor and it also has a built in DP/DT or two SP/DT switches to accompli***he lighting you want...another way is to get a mouser catalog and start building optisolator train detection circuits...you can build one for around $10.00...another oldie but goodie is the Twin - T introduced by Linn Wescott...you can find the schematic in a kalmbach publication called "electronic projects for model railroaders second edition" or purchase them prebuild for around $30 -$50 ...circuitron, dallee, and loy's toys to name a few sell them...there are other train detection circuits... too many to name here...go to www.gatewaynmra.org look under the article library and electronics ..there is a good train detection circuit you can build there with a parts list and step by step instructions...chuck

[cacole]

I've done what you want to do with some ultra-miniature single-pole, double-throw micro-switches purchased from All Electronics. I've also used some double-pole, double-throw Alps switches purchased from the same source and connected to the Peco turnout throwbar with a short piece of piano wire. After wiring everything up, I covered these switches with scenery to hide them.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willist

I'm building a layout using Peco insulfrog turnouts, ... Is there a way to wire these turnouts so that they will activate a red/green signal light? Do I need to connect a switch to the turnout or can it be done some other way?

Yes, but not satisfactorally.

BEST WAY is to use switch machines with DPDT contacts. One pole throws the turnout, the other feeds the R and G or O lighlts; If you aren't willing to do that.($) I'd forget it.

[mcouvillion]

willist,

I think you have pretty much limited your options. I was thinking you might be able to take a red and green LED from the point rails to each of the rails past the frog and let the power routing of the point rails "select" the color. It might work.

Drop a small wire through the roadbed from the pivoting end of the outside of one of the point rails. From each rail past the frog, solder a wire (again, to the outside of the rail) and drop it under the layout. For each half of the circuit (red side, green side), solder your dropping resistor, color LED, and a guard LED (1N4001 in the same orientation as the color LED). Connect one end of the color side to the drop from the frog and the other side to the point rail drop. This would only work on DCC as DC will result in the LEDs going dark as the polarity is reversed. You will have to experiment a little. It may not work at all, but I think it will.

Man, I use Electrofrog turnouts, and either Tortoise switch machines or Caboose Industries ground throws with the built-in SPDT switch. I can do this stuff easy the way I set it up. It should work; try it and let us know.

Mark C.

[mike33469]

I'm building a layout using Peco insulfrog turnouts, I'm not using switch motors or powered ground throws. Is there a way to wire these turnouts so that they will activate a red/green signal light? Do I need to connect a switch to the turnout or can it be done some other way?