Help an electrical illiterate. I’m either installing Atlas under table switch machines or the deluxe under table machines (not sure if there is an advantage in the deluxe). I don’t like the Atlas control switch (too big). Does anyone know where I can get some toggles that would fit and look better on my control panel (and remind me what type I need…I think they would be a SPDT momentary, probably with a return to center off). Also, do I need a capacitor discharge with these to make them throw better. Power is coming from a MRC Control Master 20. I have 16 machines to power. Thanks for any and all help. Any installation tips are also greatly appreciated.
The toggle switches you need are SPDT, momentary, center off. One possible source of these is Demar Electronics. Make sure the ones you select are momentary or you risk burning out the Atlas solenoid. If DeMar doesn’t have them, try Mouser Electronics.
Atlas dual-solenoid switch machines are made to operate on 16 Volts AC from the accessory terminals of a power pack. Whether you’re going to need a capacitor discharge system depends on the wattage rating of the pack.
I think you’re right about the toggle type. However a C/O toggle wont indicate how the switch is thrown (direction). I think that’s where the Deluxe machines come into play. They contain a DPDT relay, I think, that has contacts that can control lights on you control panel. A CD unit is usually an improvement.
With that said, I think you could use Tortoise machines and less expensive (maybe) DPDT or SPDT toggles for about the same cost maybe less and probably simpler. I think that this would be a much better solution.
If you’re using the Atlas switch machines, one of the best upgrades you can make is the capacitance discharge unit. It actually sends a surge of DC current to the switch machine instead of momentary AC current. It gives an authoritative “snap” to the machine, and minimizes the possibility of burning them out by accidentally holding the button down too long and overloading it with AC current.
There’s several ways to build a capacitance discharge circuit. One way is shown on the website:
www.awrr.com - select “other circuits” on the left side.
Do a Google search for “capacitance discharge” to find several other designs that are out there. (might want to include the words “model” and/or “railroad” in the search criteria, too).
The power pack puts out 100VA, has memory throttle with braking, etc. I feel like I have the power to run the machines but wanted to make sure. Someone mentioned Tortises. Aren’t they DC? I have some experience with Atlas switches (30 years ago when I was running N guage), but know nothing about the Tortise. I think I would have to buy a seperate power supply and are they really any easier? I think with any switch machine, the biggest headache is lining them up under the turnout, unless someone has an easy way. I’m open to experience, feel free to educate me.
I strongly recommend avoiding taking switch machine power from your train control unit. Even with all the bells and whistles, the power spike drawn by a twin-coil switch machine will cause a moving loco to ‘hiccup,’ which doesn’t do a thing for realism.
A CD unit can be powered from a 12-volt wall wart (plug-in DC power unit) left over from some now-dead battery powered whatever. New ones are available, and inexpensive.
For an absolutely minimum cost-minimum panel space switch throwing system you might consider using a hot probe and studs. The hot probe can be a test lead probe or stereo plug, and the studs #8 round-head screws. Turnout power goes to the probe, and the studs connect to the machine coils. One advantage - they can’t fail and fry a switch machine, as toggle switches sometimes do.
Indicator lights controlled by contacts on the machines are a very good idea, especially if it isn’t easy to see which way the points are thrown.