Morning folks. I have a question about the next stage of my layout construction, namely, switch motors.
I’m using the atlas switch machines, perhaps not the sexiest, but I’m familiar with them from the last layout I did. I’m now considering how to wire them and I’m pondering DCC for them. My layout has sixteen switches that will need control (some sidings will be ground throws). My questions are these:
What’s the power draw of the various switch decoders? I’m only running off a Zephyr, so I’m thinking I might need an additional power booster. If so, should I use that booster just for the switches, or also for part of the trackage?
How hard is it to make a CTC panel? I’ve played with PanelPro briefly, but what other options are there?
Can I do hybridized control? IE DCC with a manual toggle-board as well? I’d think that would be largely decoder dependant.
If you are using atlas switch machines, here’s a drawing I’ve posted a few times on how to set them up… Personally, I wouldn’t mess with the DCC route on controlling them, but then again, I have no intention of building a CTC panel… Played with some of the software out there and it looked pretty slick but at the end of the day, my tortises are controled by rotary switches on a map panel. The trains however Are controlled by DCC and there’s no way I would ever go back to cab control… Funny, I once said I liked block switches, wiring them, etc and would never go DCC… Anyway, Here’s te drawing…
Which MODEL of atlas #66? These will do all of the above in the diagram with out the relay. DCC controls is Tony’s Trainds read which Stationery you need. Get an old MRC from a yard sale to power the switch motors. I found a Lionel 027 4 stick A/C transformer and will use that (with a D.C. converter to power all 85 switches along with other odd jobs.
Take Care
Have FUN
George P.
Stationary decoders that power snap-type switch machines usually take an external power source to provide the energy to throw the switch machine, so the power draw from the DCC bus is minimal - just enough to drive the processor to listen for commands. Many brands provide an option for pushbuttons for manual control in addition to DCC SWITCH commands.
I use all Tortoise switch motors. Each one draws about 15ma. I originally planned to go all manual switch control - ordinary toggle switches on a schematic control panel, not in any way connected to the DCC system. But I picked up a pair of NCE Switch-Its to try out, and I’m really liking them. At some point I want to have a CTC panel, either a real one or at least a virtual one using the PanelPro component of JMRI - so at least all potentially dispatcher controlled turnouts will get Switch-Its. The Switch-It also has pushbutton inputs, so I will still have the local schematic control panel so people (read - my father-in-law) can run trains without turning on the computer. I have a Zephyr at the moment, and with the 2 Switch-Its hooked up, each driving 4 Tortoises (2 crossovers to each Switch-It), I still was able to run 4 trains and not overload anything. I plan to get a second booster and dedicate the 2.5 amps of the Zephyr to the accessory bus - that’s a LOT of Tortoises.
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