turnout wireing

[Anonymous]

You can find SPDT switches on Ebay.
Thank you everyone for all your help.

[TomOnHudson]

I just found this thread, and am very thankful. I have been exploring options for adding lighted track-side signals to indicate turnout position. I am using atlas snap switch turnouts, controlled by atlas switch control boxes (momentary SPDT), and was playing with an atlas snap relay as the mechanism to drive the signals. It works ok, but seems overly complicated when using one control per turnout.

I like Ken's way:

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

I still think this is the best way.

The leds can be for signals or panel indicators, or just use the toggle switch for turnout indication. Only one CDU is needed for all the turnouts.
Ken.

I think this might work well for the simple case where there's at most one toggle per turnout. The only complication I see is having to run wires from the signal all the way back to the toggle switch.

It would also be nice to have a "master" push button, to bring all the turnouts in sync with their associated toggles.

-tom

[Anonymous]

I used the following for my Peco turnouts w/ peco switch machines:

I started with the MRC "Dispatch Decoder" (part #AD360). It is meant for a DCC system but I "fooled" it into working with DC. It requires an operating switch (I use 1 momentary contact push button), and an external power supply (you need something with a few amps of WHACK to it). The decoders come with two lights on long leads (1 red, 1 green)

The power supply runs to the decoder and then to the turnout. Set the decoder's jumpers to match your turnout motor type (either momentary contact or latching) and add the contact switche in place of the DCC input. Then when you power the contact switch the turnout operates and the light changes from red to green (etc.) If the light doesn't match the "mode" your turnout is in you can reverse the light wire leads (changing red to green)

Works well for me. I have the lights mounted on the control board with a track diagram so I can see which way the turnout is headed. On visible turnouts I glued the LED lights onto a Model Power signal light and mounted it trackside.

Good luck!