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I have three or four Kato turnouts in my new layout with the Kato Turnout Control Switches (KAT24840).
I understand the switches are DC powered and will not pull power from the Digitrax Zephyr DCC controller.
I am not looking to getting into setting up decoders or converters - at least not yet.
What are my DC options to power the turnout controls?
Thank you as always!
I did find this:
If I use something like this, will I need to get a terminal power block and wire that adapter into it?
I have four N scale powered turnouts on a small layout and I just have a nine volt battery hooked up for power.
Works great so far and no power drain.
I have four N scale powered turnouts on a small layout and I just have a nine volt battery hooked up for power.
Works great so far and no power drain.
Just so I am getting the mental picture of that setup correct -
I am using the Kato KAT24840 as mentioned before, so I would snap the four of them together.
I think connect wires from the terminals on the battery to the terminals on one of the other controls?
Since my original post, I did a bit more research and found the Kato USA Inc. DC Converter KAT24842. The only thing about that unit is I am not sure where it connects on my Digitrax Zephyr Express of if it should be plugged in with an AC adapter.
Yes pretty simple really, two PP3 style connectors with one split to connect to the first controller.
Kato does offer an adapter for this as well, Kato 24-842 I think.
Yes pretty simple really, two PP3 style connectors with one split to connect to the first controller.
Kato does offer an adapter for this as well, Kato 24-842 I think.
I found the PP3 connector and may go that route.
I found the Kato 24-842 adapter as well. The question I have about it is what does that stripped end of the wire connect to? I have the Digitrax Zephyr Express controller, but I am am not sure if that 24-842 is supposed to connect to it.
I use Kato Unitrack, and also the Kato switch levers to control the switches.
You want the Kato DC converter (as per your amazon link above).
It converts [nominally] 15vac into 12vdc that the turnouts use.
You'll need a source for the ac power.
Do you happen to have an old DC power pack around? Use the "accessory" output.
Or... get a 15vac (or close to that) 115v "power block" or something along that line.
I'd use an intermediate "terminal block" -- connect the leads from the DC converter to one side, and your power source to the other. That's what I do.
Does the double crossover require a different controller? I connected a standard control to it, connected to the 9v battery, but it is not responding.
Double crossover
Does the double crossover require a different controller? I connected a standard control to it, connected to the 9v battery, but it is not responding.
Double crossovers use a single switch, same as a regular turnout. All four routes change at the same time when the control is switched.
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