Need Multi-Way Switch

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pubkeybreaker

New Member
I am adding some signal lights to my layout. They are r/y/g lights that need a 3-way switch to control them.
It has two input lines (plus/minus) and 4 output lines. The plus line passes through. The minus line switches
the r/y/g LEDs.

I can not find such a switch anywhere. The manufacturer of the lights is evemodel, but they do not make a control switch.
 
RhB Michael said:
Search for Viessmann 5545, 5546, and 5547. One of this should do what you want.
Click to expand...
No, they do not. At least not by themselves. These units only direct a one-time pulse to the lights. Apparently one also needs to
obtain a Viessman 5210 or 5223 (signal control module) in addition to the 5545. The control unit
costs $75.95 (!!!) I would not have bought the switch if I knew this. The requirement for the control unit is mentioned
only in an off-hand way on the web site. I will seek an alternative.
 
Last edited:


A mechanical rotary switch like this...
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Or you could mount two SPDT switches to get three colors lit.
1752446235274.png
 
A single-pole, 3-position rotary switch that dennis461 suggests will do the trick. There are other, similar, rotary switches with more poles and positions that will also work. Some will have metal tabs that can be left on or broken off to give you just the 3-positions, and the other poles can be left unused.
 
OK, this can be done with a SPDT center off switch, and LED's.
The SPDT center off switch actually has three positions..
Power to pole A
Power to no poles
Power to pole B

Now with LED's and current limiting resistors you can build a LOGIC table.
If two LEDS are in parallel with IDENTICAL ohm dropping resistors, they both light up.
If two LEDS are in parallel with DIFFERENT ohm dropping resistors, ONLY ONE WILL light up.

In the following circuit, with switch in center, no output, the YELLOW led is on.
Turning on either GREEN or RED, will raise the bottom common wire voltage too high for YELLOW to remain lit.
( I've tested the circuit. Pos. is positive wire. Circuit is positive at top rail, negative at bottom. .)

1752675107333.png
 
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