I have Atlas Custom line Switches in 5 places that are hidden and will just use the about table Atlas snap in Remote Switch machines on them. ( HO and DDC) On the rest of my Switches, will be using the slow motion ones. My Question is what type of toggle can I get at Radio Shack that will control the Atlas snap switches. I don’t like the plastic controls that Atlas uses with these Switch machines. Besides I have a control panel with the trac drawing and the micro switches look better and take up less room. Drilling holes in the panel is no problem.
Also 3 wires run from these Remote Switch machines. I would guess I would need a toggle that would accept 3 wires to operate correctly. I also like the micro toggles with the long plastic handles, maybe lighted. Is this possible. Does anyone know speciffically what toggle I need that will work by number etc.???
You need a single-pole, double-throw momentary contact toggle. These are available from any electronics place. SPDT toggles have 3 wire lugs on them, but they do NOT go straight to the Atlas machines. The Atlas pushbuttons have 5 terminals.
What you need to do is take one wire from the power supply and run it to the center post of the switch machine. The other wire from the power supply goes to the center lug of the toggle switch. The two outside lugs of the toggle go to the two outside posts of the switch machine.
As always, I’ll recommend a capacitive discharge (CD) system for all twin-coil switch machines like Atlas or Peco. This gives you a bigger kick, and protects the switch machine from burnout if the toggle should stick in the ON position at any time in the future. It’s not strictly necessary for Atlas, but it will only cost about $5 to build the circuit (2 capacitors, 2 resistors) and it’s cheap insurance. Also, if you ever go to Peco twin-coils you may need it.
For indicator lights, you need a relay in parallel with the switch machine. Atlas, I think, makes a “deluxe” switch machine with a built-in relay, and also makes a stand-alone relay. Much cheaper ones are available from other suppliers, but they’re a bit harder to wire than the simple screw-post terminals that Atlas gives you.
Good decision, by the way. The Atlas pushbuttons are notorious for sticking in the ON position and burning out switch machines.
MisterBeasley is right. I also use the “Atlas Snap Relay” to light my LED on the control panel to indicate turnout position which also lights my signal tower on the layout.
For Atlas machines, either AC or DC will work. I use cheap DC relays for indicator light control, so I need DC. The capacitive discharge circuit uses DC, so I preceeded it with a bridge rectifier and fed it with AC.