I’m working on my control panel, and I have 12 Atlas switch controls. They work fine, but they look like junk! What would be a suitable replacement? I was thinking SPDT momentary switch. If this is correct, where online can I find some? Recommendations?
Old question, stock answer, use a CD system with a pushbutton control. THe capactive Discharge will keep you from frying the twin coil machine when the button sticks OR a heavy finger strikes. And push button momentary works, your choice on that.
Take Care
George P.
You would use two push buttons or one SPDT momentary contact toggle to replace an atlas control. I like the push buttons. I use black for main and red for the diverging route. I’ve had very good luck with http://www.allelectronics.com
Keep in mind if you replace them you will no longer know which way the switch is set unless you wire an indicator system into your panel. If you can view the switch this may not be a problem but it is something to consider.
Jim
I have been happy with www.demarelectronics.com for my electrical stuff. They advertise in MR, if that helps any. I use their SPDT momentary switches, which cost about a dollar each. So far I’ve been very happy with them. I panel-mount them on a piece of 1/4 inch Masonite with a track schematic on the front.
The CD system, which I also think is a great idea, may be installed separately from the control switches. You can google for a circuit or just check a few pages back on this forum. There have been a number of discussions about CD systems over the last week or two.
Another option which takes into account Jim’s concern about knowing which way the turnout is thrown is to use SPDT non-momentary switches, but wire each of them all in series with a pushbutton (one button per turnout.) To throw the turnout, you first flip the switch to the desired position, and then pu***he button. The switch remains in position to indicate turnout status, but current only flows as long as the pushbutton is held down. For this option, I’d recommend getting SPDT’s without a center-off position so you can’t leave them in the middle.
I personally use the momentary-contact option. I’m installing signals as turnout position indicators, and for the turnouts where visibility remains a problem, I’ll be putting LEDs on the control panel. 2-color, 3-lead LEDs are very cheap.
The ability to see what direction a switch is sitting is the only plus of the Atlas Control Switches.
Since I (like you) didn’t like the looks of them, I went to the push buttons. I added Atlas #200 relays to each of my turnouts so that I could have an LED indicator with my push buttons. At one glance at my control panel I can see if any turnout is pointing off the main (red LED; green is main). The relays work great, but it’s an expensive solution… I could have almost gone to tortoise machines (which provide for signaling) for the price of the Atlas switch machine and the relay… which in hindsight I wish I had.
Thanks for the replies. I’ve already got the relays and I’ve got leds on my track diagram to indicate turnout position, I just haven’t been able to find SPDT momentary toggles locally. I’m going to check out the CD system.
I apologize for asking an old question, but I searched the forums last night and came up with all kinds of non-pertinent info.
Since I’ve got the relays I’m going to use them, but isn’t there a way to wire lights for turnout position without the relays? Or is this not possible with the Atlas switch machines?
Thanks again!
DPDT momentary toggles are often easier to find, and often the same price. It gives you an extra set of momentary contacts if you ever come up with a use. Push buttons are an alternative - just depends on your preference.
You can make your own CD system for $10 in parts - see circuit diagrams at http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#index - or buy a Circuitron model for about $30.
The problem with indicating lights is they require some form of steady power, through electronics or contacts, while twin coil switch machines require momentary only power. Tortoise switch machines, OTOH, operate with steady power so can be wired directly with the lights.
Hope this helps.
Fred W
Use a xxDT toggle switch and a N.O. SPST pushbutton on the circuit feeding the center of the toggle switch. Sort like a CTC panel works. You set your turnout position with the toggle and then “execute” the change with the pushbutton.