Atlas Remote Turnout Switches

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January 24, 2015

Dick asks readers for advice:

“I have Atlas remote turnout switches that I need AC power for. Don’t want them to be run by the controller. How can this be resolved? Is the voltage 120 or 12 VAC and watt wattage? I have a separate 12, 5 and 3 VDC power supply for my LED’s.I have a 12 VDC cigarette lighter inverter, can this be used. If so,does it need any modification.”

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5 Responses to Atlas Remote Turnout Switches

Ron says:

January 28, 2015 at 12:51 am

I use the DC side of my standard power pack to control my Atlas turnouts. I used the DC side to run my locomotives. I now have DVD, but I still use them old power pack to run turnouts and accessories, such as lights and sound modules.

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- shaun says:
  
  January 28, 2015 at 1:48 am
  
  I think he meant the AC side of his power supply.
  You wouldn’t want anymore than about 15 v AC – if you can solder, there’s nothing stopping you from taking ac from secondary side of transformer – but you will need a seperate on/off switch and an inline fuse AND most important momentary “on” switches one per track switch.
  Visit your nearest Jaycar electronic store they would be able to supply everything for you.
  
  Reply
Newman Atkinson says:

January 28, 2015 at 2:07 am

The AC side of your standard power pack is about 16 volts and is used for snap switches.that atlas uses. Basically it powers magnets in your snap switch to change the switch. Using a 2 button switch control makes these happen. Please put a master on off switch to power all switch motors as if your guests lean on these buttons or lever controls it holds power on these switch motors and you will find several can be melted in minutes and one hand can hold several at once and next thing you will see is smoke coming from switch motors. Put a master switch to prevent little hands from messing up your switch machines. from Newman

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kevin says:

February 10, 2015 at 11:38 am

Hi Dick The best thing to use for turnout motors is a capacitor discharge unit that runs on 12 Volts DC. they give a short bust of power that will snap the turnout to the other track. these are available for a small outlay and all that is needed is a push on switch wired into the primary circuit or they can also be triggered by an inrferred unit set between the rail ties so that another train can control the turnout. However I would suggest that you DC on the motors instead of ac current

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Jery says:

February 10, 2015 at 2:19 pm

I had the same problem when I shifted to DCC. As the others have said just use the ac terminals on your power pack. They operate Atlas switches just fine. Mine is a switching layout and I have done away with the electrical switches and use Caboose Hobbies mechanical ones. Much more realistic.

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