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Wiring Atlas Turnout – Switch Controls
Jake is a retired electrical engineer and needs some feedback from others with experience in the hobby. If you would like to help Jake, use the green comments link below this posting. Here is what Jake has to say:
“As a resurrected model railroader your ebook has been very helpful. My purpose for writing is a dilemma I have for wiring Atlas turnout machines that can use panel lights and toggle
switches. I was hoping one of your many readers could advise me.
I know the switch machines have to use momentary switches to avoid coil burnouts. No one in the industry that I have seen makes a switch controller (except maybe Acme) that can be applied to visual panel control.
I currently use the now defunct GH Products lighted switch controls for the mainline which have always been a pain to adjust and are not reliable. It’s no wonder why the company had difficulties. Good idea, poor execution.
I know the tortoise machines provide wiring detail for the above system but
- my layout begun in 1978 is traditional DC with Atlas products and is
track/wiring complete and - the installation of Tortoise machines would be hyper expensive for me and would require me to totally rebuild my 21 turnouts (9 mainline, 12 yard). However I am inclined to rebuild my panel if I find a solution to the switch control problem.
If someone could help an old retired electrical engineer solve this problem it would be greatly appreciated.”
2 Responses to Wiring Atlas Turnout – Switch Controls
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first walthers published a book on model railroad wiring that may have some Ideas.
if you understand transistors & Diodes you could build an indicator from LED’s powered by the switch used to activate the machine. N or R or red or green indicator lights. using transistors will allow the lights to remain lit in the direction of the turnout setting.
just like a block detector for signals. you may be able to use a block detector circuit to do this task with minium alteration.
Atlas has a wiring book out (#12) that will show you what is needed to wire signal lamps at the turnout or at the panel or both,using a relay (# 200) which is explained in the book.