I have about 20 atlas snap switches on my layout. These switches com with there ownactivation button. You slide the butoon to one side or the other then press in to mpve the switch. What i’am askng is would wireing a to/ggle switch up in place of the slide and press switch cause a problem od burn up th track switch it self.
bill
U ma wnt to opan up the machne to see if the swtch wil fit.
I would say yes unless you use spring loaded momentary contact toggle switches. Apply power for more that a second or so wil burn out the coils. As a further precaution consider building or buying capacitive discharge unit, which will protect the coils while providing better performance. You only need one CDU for most layouts wired between the power supply and the toggle switches.
Actually, those Atlas slide switches have stuck and burned out more than a few switch motors.
A SPDT switch will route continuous power to the switch motor and burn it out, though you can combine it with a normally open push button to apply the power and the switch to determine dierection of throw. A momentary contact switch would work. A pair of momentary contact, normally open, push buttons will work. A capacitive discharge circuit works very well. Some people even use a powered wand to apply power momentarily to the switch motor.
I use Digitrax DS-64s.
I have 96 powered switches on my HO DCC layout, divided into 5 power districts. I have a common ground around the entire 24’x24’ layout, with 5 double pole terminals attached to the two terminals on each switch. By using a probe wired to the common ground, and touching the terminals, momentarily, each switch can be activated. The momentary contact does not burn out the solenoids, (as a toggle switch would do). With this many switches, it was mot feasible to control the switches with 4 number coded DCC. I also have 10 manual switches that are within easy reach of their district operators. “Momentary” toggle switches would be the another way for you to go. Since my layout is quite complex, I drew a diagram of each district, with the number of the switch shown on the diagram, (as seen in the photo) Click on photo to enlarge it. Then click on }“Previous” or “Next” to view other portions of my layout. Bob Hahn 
Thanks, sorry for my fat finger spelling
Atlas switch machines are twin-coil solenoids, just like Peco, Rix and the ancient KTM rocksmashers I use. They will NOT tolerate continuous power unless it’s in the milliamp range (as in LED power.)
I throw them in two ways, at the extreme ends of control technology. The low end is a probe (which was referred to as a wand above, but it’s not magic…) I use brass studs in the panel track diagram and a stereo plug (which, when not in use, plugs into a dead socket on the side of the panel.) Power to the stereo plug reaches the machine coils through wires connected to the studs.
At the opposite end of the complication scale, I also use shorting rotary switches, 3P4T variety. Looking at only one switch machine, there is one pole which has NO connection. The associated contacts are: normal coil, coil power, reverse coil, feed from another source*. When the switch handle is turned, the coils receive power when the wiper shorts the coil contact to the power contact. The switch cannot stay in the intermediate position, the detent spring/ball will force it into full contact with one contact only. The other contacts are used for electrical simulation of mechanical interlocking. I will spare you the gory details.
*“Another source,” refers to giving the CTC panel control of a switch machine from a zone panel. On the CTC panel that position is, “Off.” Just another wonder of MZL control as I’ve implemented it.
For local, `right at the turnout,’ control, I use an internally shorted miniature stereo plug which plugs into stereo jacks on the fascia - just long enough to throw the switch.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with twin-coil switch machines)
So long as you use MOMENTARY contact toggle switches. The coils in Atlas, (or any twin coil machine) are only good for a short application of power, long enough to throw the turnout, but not much more. Continuous power will make 'em smoke fairly quickly. Twin coil machines draw a lot of current and will draw a big arc across the switch contacts. Get toggle switches rated for several amps at 120 volts.
Even better build a capacitor discharge power supply. These have a big (10,000 uF) capacitor, charged up to 20-30 volts. When the coil is activated, all the juice stored in the capacitor runs out thru the coil. By the time your finger lets go of the toggle switch there is only a tiny whisper of current going thru the contacts, so the arcing (which eats up switches) is pretty much eliminated. All the CD supply needs is the capacitor, a transformer and a full wave bridge rectifier. Your hardware store will sell you a 26 volt transformer used for furnace thermostats. Radio Shack still carries bridge rectifiers. Capacitors can be scrounged out of dead consumer electronics. A dead desktop computer power supply will furnish a nice metal case for your home brew CD supply.
They used to make some very nice leaf switches, two sets of contacts were of the constant variety, and could route track power, the other set of contacts were momentary and only conducted power in one direction or the other while the switch leaver was in motion. once at rest in one position or the other there was no momentary contact on that circuit.
Alas, I have NEVER seen these in stores. My father goth them for our old American Flyer layout back in the '50s. Nice switches, I still have them, but only five of them and I have 55 switch machines. Fortunately, all of my machines are Tortoise and can use any constant contact device. Some nice Radio Shack automotive toggles tickle my fancy, but as everybody already knows, I built my own interlocking plant, and it works real well, thank you!
Lion, I remember those switches. Bought some at Tenshodo in 1960, for my then-planned layout. I ended up installing them on the club layout on a now-defunct Air Force base.
When I got back to Tenshodo in 1964 not only were they not in stock; the hired help had never heard of them…
Oh, well.
Chuck (Modleing Central Japan in September, 1964)
Use single-pole, double-throw momentary contact toggles. The panel units provided with the Atlas turnouts are momentary SPDTs, just in an odd package.
I agree with Dave about the high failure rate of these Atlas controls. You are better off not using them. Also, the capacitive discharge system is a very good investment, or a cheap and easy project to build.
If you need detailed information on building a capacitive discharge unit, the following links would prove useful
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/ToggleTwin.html (lot’s of other circuits besides the CDU)
http://home.roadrunner.com/~jimngage/TRACTRONICS/ARTICLES/SWARTCL/swartcl.htm
If you’d rather use momentary DPDT switches, here’s where you can find them. I’ve bought all of my switches from AllElectronics.