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Wiring panel lights with push buttons?

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  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 570 posts
Wiring panel lights with push buttons?
Posted by hwolf on Sunday, February 9, 2014 9:42 AM

I just needed to replace an above table switch Atlas # 585. All of my Tortoise turnouts have lights set on the panel.

The #585 has only three wire coming from the motor and no other terminal on it.   I have no problem connecting this to the panel but I would like to add panel lights to show the direction the turnout is thrown. I have push bottons on the panel now but I also received a gift of an Atlas Controller.

If you can show me if the lights can be added and a picture of the connection it would be greatly appreciated.

Harold

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Sunday, February 9, 2014 10:13 AM

You will need to add a Snap Relay.  Wire the relay in parallel with the snap switch so the same panel buttons operate them both at the same time.  The Snap Relay is like a switch, so you can use it to wire the panel lights to.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, February 9, 2014 11:03 PM

Harold,

Rats! I wish you would have said something, I would have stuck a wiring diagram with it. Like has been said, you need a Atlas #200 Snap-relay. But it does more than just panel lights, signal lights at switch and also power the frogs, you can use a latching relay, but for you the snap will be easier. They come with very explicite wiring diagrams, on how to wire all of it. They used to be about 7.50, but I believe they are double that now.

http://shop.atlasrr.com/p-51-snap-relay.aspx

 

Send me a E-mail,if you need help.

Btw: I like your trestle.

Frank

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 570 posts
Posted by hwolf on Monday, February 10, 2014 7:12 AM

I have a bunch of under the table switch machines from Atlas that have those connections I have replaced with tortoise over the years.

Show diagram of how you would wire these to operate that turnout.  The #585 is already installed and as I said has only the three wires and no terminal connections.

Harold

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, February 10, 2014 8:01 AM

Harold,

Look at the back of the package that the #585 came in, there is a wiring diagram on the back of it, if you want to use the Switch control box. And if you want the control box at your control panel, add wires onto the wires that come out of the switch, to the control box. The red,green and black wires on the 585. But like has been said, you will need a Snap-relay if you want control panel lights and that comes with a wiring diagram.

I will send you a wiring diagram in a E-mail today, as a attachment, when you get the e-mail, double click on the attachment and the diagram will show.

Frank

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 570 posts
Posted by hwolf on Monday, February 10, 2014 8:17 AM

Thanks Frank

With the weather up your way I just got the package Saturday.  Already installed and working fine.

Harold

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, February 10, 2014 8:22 AM

Harold,

I just sent you by E-mail, two wiring diagrams, for using control panel lights with the Atlas #200 snap-relay, should you want to use them. Also how to power a frog, with them.

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 993 posts
Posted by hobo9941 on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 9:31 PM

For about the cost of a couple panel lights, you can use block signals for turnout indication, and see at a glance, which way a particular turnout or route is set. In the photo, the green signal shows the switch is clear for the main, and the red signal, also hooked up to the same Atlas relay, shows a stop signal for the yard lead.

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