Got yet another one for my Forum Friends. Subject Line says it all: Can/Would one use an Atlas Control Box to control Peco 10E Switch Machines? I just (about an hour ago as I type this) bought a SL-99 Insul-frog 3-way turnout. The Atlas boxes seem to be easier to work as the wiring is internal and I don't have to worry about it to wire the machine. I am looking at the 10E as I want the machines underneath. As usual, thank you for any assistance the forums can provide.
Yes you can. I've have this in a couple spots currently until I can get fascia mounted and push buttons installed instead.
Mike
I don't like the Atlas pushbuttons. They have a poor record. The common failure mode is for them to stick on. If you're not using a capacitive discharge circuit, this failure can burn out the switch machine. The Peco switch machine draws more current than an Atlas machine, which would probably make this failure more likley.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have been using the Atlas Control boxes (some from the early 60's) on my railroad with no problems. However, just to be on the safe side, you do need to have a discharge capacitor in order to protect your switch motors.
I heard that Atlas corrected the problem with the slide buttons sticking on those control switches quite a few yrs. ago.
I also used those type switches in the early 60's when I had common rail wiring and I did not have an issue with them.....must have a lighter touch..eh!
Take Care!
Frank
eds-trains you do need to have a discharge capacitor in order to protect your switch motors.
you do need to have a discharge capacitor in order to protect your switch motors.
I had been thinking about getting one eventually anyway.
The main reason that I want to use the Atlas boxes is that I would like, if possible, rig a system where a pair of boxes would allow me to depress one button and set up the route. (For example, box 1 would throw both units to set for the left leg or the right leg and box 2 would be wired in such a way to move the points for the center no matter which way the points are set.) While I have never done it myself, I know the the Atlas twin-coil machines can be wired the way I am describing. As I have never even seen a Peco machine before, I need to know if this is possible.
Electrically, the Peco and Atlas twin-coil machines are identical, so if it can be done with an Atlas, it can be done with a Peco. The Peco machine does have 4 wires while an Atlas has 3 screw terminals, but the two wires from one long side of a Peco machine should be wired together as the common terminal, like the center wire of an Atlas machine.
If you're planning to throw two Peco machines at the same time, you will almost certainly need a CD circuit to provide enough of a jolt to move them both.
When I installed my first Peco turnouts, I assembled, wired and tested them on my workbench, and couldn't figure out why they would not work on the layout. The difference was the long wire runs from the control panel, which ate up enough power that the machines wouldn't throw. I googled up a circuit diagram, bought a few dollars worth of parts at Radio Shack and had my own CD circuit.
I had been looking a little bit at one of Peco's PL-35 units. (My soldering skills are non-existant.) But given that it is a requirement for having two machines, I have put it on a watch list to keep an eye on it. I will have to figure out, though, where I would put it. The area around the control panel is a little bit tight.