Wiring cross over switches

[Anonymous]

Having trouble wiring (2) Atlas undercounter switch machines to switch together on a main line cross over. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] to MR Forums
If you wired it up as shown in the instructions and they are not compleatly throwing the turnout and everything mechanically is adjusted, you may not have enough power to operate both switch machines. Be sure your wires are at least 18 gage. You should make or buy a capasitor discharge power supply to add an extra boost and to prevent burning out the switch machines by accident.

[nfmisso]

I suggest that you change to Tortise, and use one Tortise with easy to make mechanical linkages to through both turnouts.

As Gary said, you need alot of power to throw two twin coil (like Atlas) machines at the same time. The in rush current on each is on the order of 3 to 4 amps - but for an extremely short duration. A large capacitive discharge (CD) unit can provide that sort of power, and is easy to make.

E-mail me if you want a circuit and parts list.

[cwclark]

you can easily build a capacitor discharge circuit mentioned by Gary...they are pretty simple to build...A Kalmbach Publications book titled "Electronic Circuits for Model Railroaders" has a plan for one...Chuck