Does anyone happen to have a link or diagram for how to wire Peco switch machines?
I have installed 60 of them in the last year. basically there are four tabs on the switch. Two per side. wire both contacts together on one side (doesn’t matter which side) there is one wire now coming off of that side. The other side has two contacts. thats your other two now you have three contacts. I use green on the combined side. That is the common. Each of the other will be the " closed" or “thrown” contact. If they go backwards from what they should be just switch the two leads. What kind of device are you using to control your T/O’s? I know this is very basic but maybe it will help. I am sure someone will come along real soon with some detail I am sure.
Terry[8D]
Haven’t decided yet which type of device. Do you have any suggestions Terry?
I’m using “probe and stud”. A contact (stud or brass screw) is put in the track diagram and a wire with a pointon the end is touched to it. Easy to make, cheap, and understandable. No indication, however.
I use Radio Shack mini push buttons. They come 2 pairs of red and black to a pack for about $3.50.
A Capacitor discharge unit is a good way to prevent coil burnouts, it sends a quick high current pulse to the turnout coil. If you hold your finger on the pushbuttons the coil will burn out.
Ken.
PJ - I use Digitrax DS-54’s to control my T/O’s. I have several cap disc units for switching double crossovers with one DS-54 output. The new DS-64 fm DIgitrax can handle more than one T/O per output so I think I will get one to check it out. I use the Micro switch on each T/O that Peco sells. I bought 100 phone wall outlets for about 3 dollars online and use them at each T/O for the actual wiring. The micro switch gives me T/O indication via LEDS. This is the only way I have ever done it so I can’t tell you how it can be done more economically. I know you can’t just hook it up to a power supply and use a pushbutton because it will burn out the coil quite quickly. Maybe someone can give you details on how to switch them other than via a stationary decoder. How many switch machines do you plan on having? Maybe that would help determine a good method for you. I really like the micro sw on each switch machine. I have it wired to signals at the T/O w/LEDS. Green means thru and Red means thrown. So I can sit on my big butt and look over my empire and run trains without having to get up to check or throw a T/O. Not prototypical but it lets me do more by myself. If you want I can scan a Digitrax wiring direction sheet and email it to you. Sorry I can’t be more help.
Terry[8D]
modelmaker51 - This is none of my business but I have found RS has some pretty high prices. You might try www.allelectronics.com they have the exact same SPST momentary N.O. pushbuttons RS sells for 35 cents each or 32 cents for 10 or more. The cat# for red is MPB-1, Blk is MPB1B. I also noticed they have the 5mm Ultra White LED on sale for 65 cents each. These go for four or five bucks each else where. I buy my LED’s fm here by the hundred pack. They are probably made in China but if they only last five years rather than eight or ten I still feel it is worth the savings. Certainly will outlast the ordinary bulb. I like to puruse the site they have all kinds of neat things that can be used in MRR. This is also where I bought a bunch of phone wall boxes for 25 cents each compared to the Home depot price of 3.79.
Terry[8D]