I am building a new control panel, and am wondering about using toggle switches or pushbuttons, and if I should use regular lamps or LEDs for indicators. Never having used LEDs I would need a good source of information. Also would need a good source of supply.
If you’re talking about indicators to let you know when a turnout is switched for the main or a siding, I would recommend LED’s. A good source and very inexpensive is www.allelectronics.com. If you want to get the full explanation about wiring LED’s, email me and I’ll give you the full scoop. I’ve got 5 control panels with over 70 turnouts and all toggle switches have LED’s wired in. The above link will also provide a source for toggle switches, which is what I recomment if you’re using Tortoise switch machines. There are some switch machines where you will need push buttons.
Mondo
I propose looking at the situation from a different perspective. Do you prefer to sit and watch trains run, or would you prefer to walk beside the train and perform the chores of running a train that a prototype crew does?
If the latter interests you, simplify life (and wiring) and do away with central control panels. Invest in a walk-around control system - they are made in both DC and DCC, although DCC is easier wiring in this application. Then turnout control becomes whatever suits your fancy, because you will be throwing the turnouts locally and based on visual observation. With Peco turnouts, or by installing an overcenter spring of your own, you just move the points with your fingers. Various manual turnout throws are easily installed to activate from the fascia or beside the turnout. Or you can install switch machines with the toggle or push buttons at the site or on the fascia. Indicator lights are not necessary unless the turnout is hidden (not a great idea for other reasons) or you are conducting night operations.
I have learned from designing control and situational awareness systems (aircraft cockpits) that indicator lights focus human attention on the indicator lights, not the outside situation. It’s a matter of personal choice, and my personal choice is to be focused on what the train is doing and not what a bunch of indicator lights say.
All that said, LEDs last a lifetime when used correctly and consume less power than light bulbs. They do have to be powered to run at about 10-15 milliamps. Usually that means a resistor in series with each LED to drop the power supply voltage to around 2-3 volts.
My thoughts, your choices
Fred W
IMHO, the number and kind of indicator lights on a control panel should be minimized, for the reason that fwright mentioned. This is why modern combat aircraft have heads-up displays.
The model railroad equivalent is on-site signaling - mount your LED in a working signal located at the turnout. That way, you HAVE to watch the thing(s) that have immediate importance to your train handling.
The panels for my hidden yards have indicator lamps, but only one is lit at any time. It indicates which track can be accessed from the ladder. The several turnouts do not have individual indicators, which could be confusing to novice operators.
My control system (an adaptation of Ed Ravenscroft’s MZL) allows me to operate the entire layout from one central location, operate a single portion of the layout from a panel immediately adjacent, or operate a single train, using controls right where the action is taking place. I pay a cost of complicated installation up front to get very simple operation later, with foolproof CTC for multiple operator scenarios as a bonus.
As for panel switch types, I control turnouts either with rotary switches that allow me to feel the switch position without looking at the panel, or with a hot probe and studs on the panel face - but only for turnouts that have to be controlled from two or more different locations. Turnouts that only need to be controlled from one place are controlled from the closest spot on the aisleway-edge fascia, with a mechanical linkage connected to a toggle switch and the points.
There is a temptation to make panels unnecessarily complex. The best panels are as simple as possible, and as user friendly as possible. The object is to operate a railroad, not a panel.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL system)
The choice of a toggle or pushbutton or even rotary switches can depend on several factors. What do you personally prefer? What type of switch machine are you controlling(2 wire snap action, 3 wire snap action, stall motor)? Although any type of switch machine can be controlled by either a toggle or pushbutton with the right circuitry, some are easier to wire for a particular circuit. If you have snap action switch machines do you plan on using a capacitor dischard circuit? Do you want some of your switches to have multiple control points, such as a central control panel and local control? Do you have DCC and if so do you want to use it to control your switches?
If you’re still around, I really appreciate the details of wiring LEDs from the control panel switch to the turnouts.