I’m in the process of installing Peco switch machines and need to activate using a toggle , but am wondering what to use? I’m not that familiar with electronics but from what I see you need a momentary switch as anything else will burn out the motor. Do SPDT toggles offer this or am I looking for something else? I’d prefer a toggle as compared to a push button as I want to indicate direction of throw (even though I’m going to use LED’s as well).
Thanks in advance.
I believe that a momentary toggle will not give you what you need as they are held momentarily in one location and flip back when released.
The above would work well. A well stocked hardware store should carry them. I like the SPDP MOMENTARY switches since you only need one switch in a 1/2" hole. If you like push butons you would need 2.
P.S. to my earlyer post. A momentary toggle will spring back to center when relised so it will not show which way it was thrown last. The Atlas turnout switch has a slide then push switch, but is large in camparison to a toggle and the swith button can move to ether possition, but if you do not move it after throwing a tunout it will show the direction. I just use my lights.
You might want to check out the thread “Electrical Whizzes–Control Panel Questions”.
Capacitor discharge is really the only way to make sure you don’t burn out your switch machines, you only need one for a layout and it will run two turnouts at the same time.
Ken.
Check out “Easy Model railroad Wiring” by Andy Sperandeo (Model Rairoader Books). It has a way to to use “normal” toggle switches on switch machines by using it’s Aux contacts to shut off power to the machine as soon as it moves.