I believe I’m going with Atlas under the layout switch machines. I was thinking of powering them with some cheap, trainset type transformers, mounted under the layout. I was wondering, is there an inexpensive, wall wart type power source that would work better? Could someone give a link to an online source. The layout is only going to have approximately 8 switches. Thanks for any info.
Sorry, I forgot, I have a couple more question. I see a snap relay used with Atlas switch machines? I don’t remember using them in the past, what are they used for? Also, I should know this, what are the letters R and N mean on the switch control? Thanks a million in advance.
R = Reverse
N = Normal
Refers to the direction the switch (turnout) points are aligned for. If the turnout is set for the usual direction of travel (mainline, perhaps), it is in it’s “Normal” position. When set for the opposite track, it is said to be “reversed”.
Snap relays are commonly used for anything you’d use a Double-Pole, Double-Throw electrical switch for. Typically, for our uses, either to power turnout frogs, or to act as a power-reversing switch (for reversing electrical sections, or reverse loops).
Brad
Most Train set power packs put out around 16 volts AC for switch machines and other accessories. These cheap packs can throw one, maybe two switches at a time (as in a double ended crossover). If you use the snap relays to power frogs (they are wired in Parallel with the switch machine), the power pack may not be able to handle the load. You may want to use a capacitor discharge module to power the machines with the power pack. It’s a simple connection and it is not that expensive, about $25.
Lots of luck with those little critters. I tried them early on about 10 years ago, then gave up and sold them on eBay after struggling to get them to line up properly.
If your budget permits, you would be a lot better off with Tortoises to control your turnouts.
Incidentally, I use an MRC 1370 Railpower to control an average of 15 Tortoises. It costs around $40.
Rich
LION build big powerful aux supply (10 AMPS) way more than anybody could possibly need. Current draw on Tortoise machines is miniscule (LION will let the math majors give you all of the numbers) But a 2 or 3 amp wall wart will give you all of the power you need for your turtles.
LION will have to apply ammeter to his aux power to tell you what the draw really is with his 50 Tortoises but me thinks it is not all that munch.
Twin Coils are another matter. Two maybe three are the most you can expect to move under the control of one button. But if you have say 100 of them, you can still only push one button at a time, so the question becomes moot.
On the Snap Relays, LION tried them, LION fried them. They were not built to LION specifications. Specifically, they are a make-before-break device, and the way the LION wanted them to work required a break-before-make device. Ergo, while the contacts were in transit, they created a dead short between the +12 v circuit and the -12 v circuit, or as you can see, a 24v dead short. Power a frog: fine, power signals via LION electronics: no go.
LIONS are the Master of Tortoise Applications. Him also does cute wiring:
(don’t ask!)
ROAR
Thanks for the great info. For some reason, I’m not getting how a snap relay is used. Many years ago I wired my Atlas turnouts to switches then to the AC side of a power pack. I don’t remember needing a relay?? Sorry, I’m having a senior minute.
You do not need a snap relay. On the other hand, what they are is a single DPDT switch that is activated by an electric coil after the same manner as the snap switch machine.
Since an Atlas turnout does not have any switch contacts for power routing, signals, or for the energization of a frog such as a Tortoise switch machine has built into it, you could buy the Atlas Snap Relay to obtain these extra contacts. You would simply wire it to operate off of the same buttons that control the turnout, and you now have a remote controlled DPDT switch somewhere on your layout to do what ever you wanted.
ROAR
Now I get it, Thanks Lion.
I have installed 16 of them and they are not that hard to install. The Atlas switches use between 2.9 to 3.1 amps each. So, that means you need a power supply capable of that to snap them with authority.
I use an old Lionel power supply and 2 can be activated at once. If I did not have the Lionel, I would use a capacitive discharge unit.
You can use the accessories terminals of your pack but it will slow the trains down when activated. Use it as a temporary supply if needed.
The relay is not necessary unless you want to power a frog.