Does anyone have an idea where I might could see a schemetic on wiring turnouts to a rotary switch for my yard ? I’m talking about turn the dial and the turnouts align for the route selected. I think the use of diodes is involved but it would sure help if I could find a reference point. Thanks.
Clay Smith
“Easy wiring for model railroads” by Andy S. and an oldie but goodie “How to wire your model railroad” by Lynn Wescott both have schematics in them on wiring a yard ladder…you’re going to need a bunch of diodes along with the rotary switch to accompli***his…both books are Kalmbach publications …Chuck
Chuck is correct; if you do a Google serach and/or go the public portion of the nmra site (www.nmra.org) you will also find on-line schematics. One issue you should be careful of, is that most rotary switches have lower power-handling capability. Half-amp is common and you will have trouble finding anything more than 1.5. Not an issue if you are using stall-type motors to drive your turnouts but very likely an issue if you are using the more comon magnetic-field swtich machines and druving, say, four or five of them at the same time.
I think you’ll find what you’re looking for here =>
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/StallMatrix.html Scroll half way down the page until you hit Rotary Switch - Diode Matrix Turnout Control schematic
Ian
Guys, Thanks for the help. All I need now is someone to teach me how to read the schemetics!
Clay
Claysmith,
I’ll happily teach you, I work in the electronics industry. Email me
Ian