I’m about ready to make my control panel and realized I’m short screws for attaching the wires to the Atlas 56 switches. Anybody know what size these screws are? From what I can figure out a 2-56 (from my kadee coupler collection) fits slightly loose and I need 5/32" in length.
Sometimes its the smallest things that trip you up![banghead]
I’ve got a bunch of them, mostly still mounted on the controllers. (I had a hard time finding them on the Atlas web site. It’s just not designed for finding things by part number ) Now, why do I have so many of these things sitting around?
I have two problems with them. First, they are very large. They get in each other’s way on a panel, and they are designed to be mounted horizontally, either flat or left-to-right, but not up and down. So, you can’t make an “intuitive” schematic panel with them very easily.
Second, they are not reliable. They will sometimes just stop sending power to one side or the other, but much worse, they will sometimes stick and keep sending power constantly. They’re supposed to be momentary contact, and since you probably got them with Atlas turnouts, you’ll soon find that supplying continuous power to an Atlas turnout machine quickly toasts the machine. (The good news is that it is accompanied by a nasty odor, which lets you know it’s happening. The bad news is that only a basset hound can detect the smell before it’s too late.)
Atlas lists these things for 3.75 Ameribucks. For about 90 cents, you can get miniature SPDT toggles, which are electrically identical, fit nicely in any panel, and will outlast these #56’s, on average.
I use mostly Atlas track, by the way, including a lot of snap-switches. Other than the appearance of the above-ground switch machines, I’m very happy with the all the Atlas stuff I’ve bought over the years, except for those controllers. So, do yourself a favor.
I agree, the Atlas parts pages aren’t the easiest to find things on.
However, when I needed buss bars and screws to power frogs, and didn’t want to buy the whole snap-relay just for those two parts, I sent them an e-mail.
The responded quickly, the next day if I recall, with the info I needed (part numbers and prices). It was then simple to look them up and order what I needed.
Based on my (very positive) experience, I’d certainly suggest sending them an e-mail with your question.
HTH,
Steve
P.S. My guess would be part #9500003
Thanks Steve for the part number guess - it translates into 3-48 Machine Screw Pan Head which looks good (although $1.50 each is steep when you consider the price of an entire 56 switch machine!). I did send Atlas an email but have yet to hear back.
I’ll go find a 3-48 and see if it fits!
Thanks again.
Derek
Oddball size, but they are available:
http://www.amazon.com/Round-Slotted-Machine-Screw-Length/dp/B000FN1PJ2
They only want $2.20 for a package of 25.
It’s probably $1.50 each for a package of five or six, not $1.50 for each screw. At least that’s the way it was when I ordered the buss-bar screws. It’s still expensive, but not quite as bad.
That said, I agree about finding a 3-48 locally to see if it fits. As MisterBeasley pointed out, there are likely to be less-expensive alternatives once you determine the size you need.
Good luck!
Steve
I did receive an email response from Atlas. Steve wins the parts guessing lottery! [tup]
Item 500003 machine screw pan head (3-48 x 5/32) 12/$1.50
Item 500004 wood screw (#2 x ½” R.H.) 12/$1.25
(FYI when searching Atlas for codes: product code is same as item except add “9” at the front).
Misterbeasley,
Where are you getting your switches for $.90? I need to get a few that match the Atlas 150-56 and was wondering.
Mike/Nightshade
I was referring to SPDT toggles from places like www.allelectronics.com. These are electrically equivalent to the Atlas 56, but they’re more reliable and fit in a schematic panel much more easily. The model MTS-70PC panel is only 50 cents.
Ahhh! What panel do you use? Do you think those could fit on the Atlas panels as shown in the Walthers catalog?
I am learning and using my son’s small 42" x 72" layout as a trial before leaping into my larger layout. He has 4 turnouts on his layout that I need to control.
Regarding all of this…the transformers on his layout have both DC and AC terminals. I understand that lighting uses the AC and the turnouts use the DC. What else uses the AC? Do the controllers get hooked to DC as well or the AC side? I didn’t know if it converted it or not. My thinking was no…but wanted to be sure.
I use a piece of masonite for my panels. Actually, it’s a small piece of the stuff they sell for shower enclosures, with a waterproof white veneer. I drill holes for the toggle switches, and make lines for track paths and turnouts with black auto-striping tape.