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Wiring Turnouts and Control Panel
Ray asks:
“I want to switch my HO scale turnouts with a single switch to also supply power the track and illuminate an LED on the control panel. I am using PECO motors on PECO track. I think that a continuous supply to PECO motors causes them to burn out. I have a number of double pole double throw switches but I am unsure how to wire it to prevent motor burnout. Any thoughts would be appreciated.”
10 Responses to Wiring Turnouts and Control Panel
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Well, the short answer is that you can’t, since Peco motors want a “passing contact” switch, or a probe, to momentarily supply power to the motor to cause it to change. And you can’t do that with a DPDT switch. You can get accessory switches that are operated by the turnout (Peco ref PL-13) and you could probably use these to control the power to the track, and then use a “proper” turnout motor switch to operate the turnout.
Thank you Geoff, I thought that would be the case.
I would suggest you use a capacitor discharge unit together with a probe or spdt non latching toggle switch. This overcomes continuous current draw, the cdu recharges quickly. There wiring diagrams freely available on the net. If you can’t find one I can supply the diagram and components list.
Thank you Edwin, if you could supply a diagram I would be grateful.
I think there are latching relays which will switch contacts with a pulse, just like the Peco point motor. You could drive such a relay in parallel with your point motor, and use its contacts to supply power to the LED indicators. One pulse will change the relay state from A to B and it will stay there. The next pulse will change the state back from B to A, and it will stay in that state until the next pulse changes it again. See the websites below for an explanation of a latching relay.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/latching-relays-guide and
http://www.omron-ap.com/service_support/FAQ/FAQ02822/index.asp
That is why I use tortoise switch motors. They are made to not burnout (but I use momentary switches anyway) AND they have 2 S.P.D.T. switches built in.
Thank you to all for the response. Much appreciated.
I’ve used servo motors with twin micro switches mounted under the board and steel rod size of a paper clip works the point, They run on 5 volts, one micro switch controls positive or negative to the electro frog, the other switch controls the leds that give direction simple to wire and give a nice point operation. It’s an alternative option.
A momentary SPDT switch should work well with a PECO turnout. PECO turnouts have a kind of “detent” that holds the points against the rail when there is no power applied to the switch motor. Using a momentary switch allows the motor to be energized only when pressure is applied to a toggle handle. When the toggle handle is released, the switch returns to a neutral position and power is not applied continuously.
Thank you for the replies