DPDT Switches for Switch Machines

[KKEIFE]

Boy, I hope this is my last question on this topic. Unfortunately as far as electrical stuff is concerned, the FORCE is not with me.

I want to order 13 DPDT switches to control 13 Tortoise switch machines. I bought the RS Walwort that the electrical Jedhi Knights on this board suggested for the power, but I see one of the Electrical supply places have two different DPDT switches; Commercial grade minature switches @ 6 amps, and standard size switches @ 10 amps.

Does it matter as to which one I should get? Obviously, the price for one is somewhat cheaper than the other one.

Thanks.


Ken

[Seamonster]

The 6 amp rated switches are more than adequate for a Tortoise machine.

[MisterBeasley]

If you are doing nothing more than throwing switch machines, SPDT (single-pole, double-throw) is sufficient. You might, however, want the other pole for controlling track or signal power later on. If it's only a buck or so, it's worth it.

[ARTHILL]

If you use single pole double throw you need two power supplies as per direction. That's what I did and I love it.

[rrinker]

Depends on how physcially large you want the switch handles and consequently your control panel. 6 amps is MORE than enough. So is 3 amps. I use miniature size switches, I think the ones I have carry a 3 amp rating. Much smaller and the panel would be hard to operate unless you have really small fingers. The big giant 10 amp switches would result in huge control panels because the switches are so large in size. It's really up to your preference as just about any type of switch out there has a contact rating sufficinet to control a Tortoise.

--Randy

[BR60103]

The Tortoise machines can be controlled with probably the cheapest available DPDT switch. Look for the current consumption in the Tortoise manual.
My only consideration would be that I tend to melt very small switches with my soldering iron.
What is the output of the Wall Wart? (Divide the Watts by the Volts to get Amps.)

[KKEIFE]

It is a 12 Volt, 1000mA adapter.

I think this is the one that several on this forum had previously recommended.

[rrinker]

Yes, that is the correct one. Good for a few dozen Tortoises.

--Randy

[cwclark]

you can order them pretty reasonably from www.partsexpress.com be sure they are the on / on or on / off / on type (randy doesn't like the on / off / on type but they work just as well as the on / on type)....just don't order the (on) / off / (on) type (the kind designated with parenthesis) because they are momentary DPDT switches..the (on) / off / (on) type work fine for coil turnout machines but not for tortoise machines

[BR60103]

1000 mA is 1.000 amps. You won't be anywhere near overloading a 3 amp switch. Or even a 1 amp switch if the power can be split among a dozen machines.

[ukguy]

Forgive my electrical ignorance, does a dpdt switch mean that it will controll 2 devices with one switch? and if so can I have an led for each direction of the switch with a dpdt? Also if I just have snap switches I do not need onstant power to the switch so will my led go 'out' after the momentary pulse with a (on)/off/(on)?

Thanks
Karl.

[Seamonster]

Yes, DPDT means it has two (D) circuits (P) inside and each has two (D) positions (T). It can be locking [on/on] or locking with a center off position [on/off/on] or momentary with a centre off position [(on)/off/(on)]. With solenoid controllers (snap switches) like the Atlas or Peco, you must use momentary switches so the power isn't applied to the turnout for more than a seond or so. Yes, a LED attached to the other pole of the switch will go out as soon as you let go of the switch handle.

If you're using stall motor turnout controllers like the Tortoise, then you want a locking switch. You will need to use both poles of the switch, wired a special way, to reverse the polarity of the electricity to the Tortoise. What many people do is put a pair of LEDs in parallel with each other, but pointing in opposite directions in one of the wires going to the Tortoise to provide a visual indication. Another method is to use a dual polarity power supply which requires only one pole of the switch, then the other pole can be used for the LED.

Hope this helps.

[cacole]

DPDT means Double-Pole, Double-Throw. Double-Pole means that two wires can be connected to it; Double Throw means that the lever can be moved to two positions; i.e., ON-ON. Some DPDT switches actually have 3 positions, and are known as Center Off switches; ON-OFF-ON. Both types actually have 6 terminals on the back. The two center terminals are usually the "output" and the terminals on each end are input. For a Tortoise switch machine you would wire the inputs in an X configuration on the switch so the polarity is reversed when the switch is thrown from one position to the other.

[ukguy]

Thanks guys, everythings clear now, somewhat, kinda. I'll go read up somemore before I try anything in practice.

Karl

[pkeppers]

I have a tortoise DPDT question. Does anyone know if and where I can find a DPDT or SPDT push button switch? I could use dual power supplies if I can only find a SPDT. I want to use a bi color led. Push once to change the led color/turnout routing, push again to put it back.

Phil Keppers

Duluth MN

[rrinker]

They make them. But it seems non-intuitive to me. That's also why I changed my mind and decided not to use the flip-flop circuit from Rob Paisley to operate my Tortoises with pushbuttons. Even with the LED to show which way the switch is lined, it means you MUST see the LED to know what's up. With toggles AND LEDs, like on my current panel, you can see which way the train will go by both the lever position and the LED. And it's pretty obvious to an operator, if the level faces the siding, that's where the train will go.

--Randy