hello all.im using the atlas snap relays which i beleive are dpdt latching.they are quite expensive.was wondering if any dpdt latching relay would be ok to use? i have in mind the zettler dpdt latching 12v relay which i can get very cheap.in these hard times i just can’t spend $6 or $7 for the snap relay.thanks in advance.
you need to find rrinker to answer your question…the only relays i’ve ever seen besides the atlas relay has only a two wire driving power hook-up with a N/O - N/C post…the altas relay has a three wire system…there may be a way to hook it up but i really doubt it unless you can toggle the relay at the same time you throw the turnout…a dpdt switch can do that…chuck
I’m using some cheap DPDT relays I got from http://www.demarelectronics.com a while back, their part number R-7111 for $4.95 each. These work fine for me, but they have circuit-board spaced pins that you have to solder to (no easy screw terminals like Atlas) and they work on DC, not AC. You can, of course, run Atlas or Peco twin-coil switch machines on DC, so my solution was to upgrade all my switch machines and relays to a capacitive discharge system, which improves a lot of things. (I hand-built the circuit for this for about $10 in Radio Shack parts.)
I also discovered that the relay coils are polarity-sensitive, unlike the switch machines.
thanks to both of you for the info.misterb the zettler relay i mentioned is i beleive very similar to what your using only much cheaper.i can get the zettler’s for $2 each.might have to order four or five of the zettlers and give them a try.i can solder good so thats not a problem.thanks.
Where do you get them? At that price, I might just put in some more signals.
ALL twin coil switch machine’s are operates by MOMENTARY SPDT contact’s, which ATLAS is one of the cheapest made - especialy when purchased in quantity from eastern mail order houses. They have 4 wires - two of which are paired together - forming a ‘common’,and L.R. throws. For $2 more you can get switch machines with contact’s (powering frogs, illuminating signals, etc.).
By going ‘cheaper’ you may get a relay that dosn’t have enough power to do much besides throwing itself.
If one cannot “afford” the ATLAS twin coil machine, the are $3 manual’ throw’s from Caboose Industries, or - Somwhere - cheaper hobbies.
Which switch machines with contacts are only $2 more than Atlas? Peco’s (without contacts) are several $ more. The next step up is Tortoise, which does have contacts, but they’re a lot more than Atlas+2.
MisterBeasley
Rix Product’s 12v. switch machine with 2 SPDT (DPDT) contact’s.
Cool! MB Klein has those for $8.29. Oh, that gives me an excuse to go buy another GP-9 to offset the shipping costs.