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Which type of switch is better for turn-outs? I have several of the Atlas types but they seem to have problems. I was going to replace them but I was wondering which was the best type of switch to use. I can see where the toggle is better but doesn't it energize the switch all the time. Compared to the Atlas type switch that you push in to energize the turnout. Just a newbie wanting to know.
If all that powers the turnout is the toggle, I don't see what the problem could be. I take it that you don't mean powering a switch motor, but just powering the route lined? If so, then energizing the turnout all the time is normal, just as if you had no motor.
strange poll choices.
i will go to with "other" since i don't use toggles and i'm not sure what is "normal atlas switch".
seeing the results now i think we are well on track to provide you with confusing results
perhaps you will ask your question better.
From an electrical standpoint for the mainline the contact would be "normally open" (the coil is not energized) and for the switch it would be "closed".
Reid,
By "normal Atlas switch" I think you're referring to their slide switches where you slide the plastic button to the left or right, then press it to actuate the turnout coil.
Personally, I like these because they give a visual indication of how the turnout is set... assuming you did push the switch after you moved it.
Push buttons like the ones Willis pointed out work well and take up little space. I'm currently using them; I painted the black buttons green.
There are also center-off momentary toggle switches that can be used. For an example, go to http://www.jameco.com and enter MTS-116BLK in the search box. When a switch is described as (on)-off-(on), it means it has 3 positions and the parentheses indicate a momentary position.
Like the push buttons, a momentary toggle gives you no indication of the turnout position.
I had to go with other.
I'm using DCC with NCE's Switch 8 to power Tortoise switch machines from the throttle.
2nd best thing I ever did!
If I were using any of the other choices it would still be "other". I like push buttons.
Assuming you mean an electrical switch to throw the points on a turnout, I use momentary on toggles. I just push up to energize the switch machine motor, throw the points, and let go. This lessens the chance of burning up a switch machine motor from leaving the power applied. A two position slide switch with the switch being pressed down to activate the switch machine does have some advanges, since you can see what route the switch was lined for. This is basically what the Atlas controller uses. However, there are much better quality switches available for not much more money.
I was going to replace them but I was wondering which was the best type of switch to use. I can see where the toggle is better but doesn't it energize the switch all the time.
Normally what I would say is that you need is a center-off, momentary contact toggle. However, I am not understanding why you would WANT to engergize the coils all the time. On a normal Atlas switch motor that will melt it down really quick.
How many times do you type something and it sounds good to you but nobody understands where you are coming from. That seems to happen here.
Somebody gave me a box of HO "stuff". It included track, buildings, Sante Fe engines, several rolling stock cars, sectional track to include straights, curves, several L & R turnouts, and Atlas turnout switches. You know the ones...about two inches square with a small square switch in the middle that you slide left or right and push the button in to energize the switch. I was down in the basement and decided to check out the three power supplies in the box and to see if the turnouts worked. I wired the turnouts through one switch and noticed the switch didn't work. I moved the wires to another switch and tested the turnouts. This made me wonder if I should keep these old turnout switches and take a chance that they worked or get new ones. I decided to go new.
Which brings me to my question...poll. I've noticed here that people use the old slide switch, toggle switches or as was pointed out above...push buttons. I see from above that the toggle switches are momentary switches and not "regular" toggle switches. So I apologize for the confusion. I don't want to leave a turnout energized. I didn't realize they were momentary switches, so that clears up that. Thanks.
Hopefully that clears up what I mean...so which type of switch do you use and why?
This is how I have my SPDT momentary toggles set up.
They are powering Atlas under the table switches. Works fine...so far. If I had unlimited funds I would do the Tortoise controlled by toggles on the panels. I don't think I would like to control all the turnouts from a DCC throttle.
Push buttons.....Have been using them since I was knee-high to a ....They do the job, and look snazzy on the panel. No indication of turnout position..?? Just push the button to the position you want...If the t'out is already there, no harm done....
Good post. I always wondered about this as well. I always figured when it came time. I would probably just come up with some sort of a cam on the turnout end itself that is on the switch machine. once the turnout is engaged in one direction or the other. A cam touches a set of electrical contacts to brake the circiut that direction. But it becomes a bit more complicated because you still have to have the turnout move back the other direction and that doesnt happen without added wiring to get the motor to move back. Because afterall, the contacts are broken so you have to have a way to energize the circuit again somehow.
I use radio shack push buttons on the facia of my layout. They are located at the switch with a diagram showing the track with the push buttons located on the track in the diagram. I need to take a picture of it and post it so you can see what I am talking about. I also use a Circuitron Snapper. This eliminates burning up a switch machine from continuing to hold button. I have lost machines because of someone unknowingly leaning on the button. I feel this reply is as clear as mud. I will get a picture that should help.
