First, I must say I am new at this and I know NOTHING regarding switches and wiring. I have recently read a few things and have looked for similar topics on this site, but to no avail.
I have my oval up and running and decided to move on to the next step which is to add an inside loop with two switches. I have the NCE PowerCab and am using atlas track (code 83) and am trying to hook up the #540 remote switch. I have followed the directions on the back regarding the wiring. After reading the NCE manual I'm not quite sure how the cab and switch communicates. Not sure if I have the right switch or need to buy something else. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Good morning,
I also was a "newbie" a few months back, but bought some books and now I have 12 turnouts in my 12 x 4 layout.
the book you want to get is by Atlas and it covers all the wiring questions you might have. This is what I did and my layout worked on the first try.
but I must insist on the following. one connection at the time and try it. then move on to the next one.
Hope this is of some help.
Pontoonman
newington, Ontario
The Atlas #540 is just a remote-controlled turnout. Like any remote-turnout you'll find on the market, it is not equipped to be run from your DCC controller. It comes with a panel switch, which will do the job. (I've done my rant about those #56 pushbutton controllers for the week, so I won't repeat it.)
If you want to run your turnouts from your DCC throttle, you will need a "stationary decoder" for each turnout. Hopefully, someone who uses these will chime in. The Atlas switch machine is a "twin-coil" system which requires momentary contact, not constant voltage.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
If you really want to control those switches with your DCC system, you need a stationary decoder that can operate a twin-coil switch motor, but this is not going to be cheap or easy to install if you are not experienced.
For only two switches on a small layout, use an Atlas push button controller and the AC terminals on an old power pack.
cacole wrote: If you really want to control those switches with your DCC system, you need a stationary decoder that can operate a twin-coil switch motor, but this is not going to be cheap or easy to install if you are not experienced. For only two switches on a small layout, use an Atlas push button controller and the AC terminals on an old power pack.
Lenz makes a good stationery decoder called, I believe, the LS-150. It runs up to 6 switches, so can handle your two and have room to grow. None of this stuff is "cheap" but at $30 or $40-ish, it's not that bad.
Having said that, I'll agree with those who say don't bother. The reason my pricing and such isn't up to date is I gave up using DCC to operate my turnouts a while ago. It was far more bother than it was worth, not to mention expense.
I had my prior layout set up to run through the computer using JMRI, and if I went back to a full CTC setup, then I'd do it again. But I'm not a fan of CTC except for group/club layouts. I like to walk around with my wireless controller and I'd do little other than push buttons madly if I wanted to DCC my turnouts.