Hello,I want to switch dwarf turnout indicators(oregon rail supply) to see the switchpostion.I run with Digitrax and DS 64-decoders for the turnouts.Now my problem: How must i connect the bi-polar LED´s with the decoder,that the LED shows green for “thrown” and red for “closed”?
Also I have 2 types of turnout-drivers: tortoise and Atlas(not on the same decoder!)
Nice,if anyone can help,greetings from Germany,Steffen
With Tortoise motors, you can put the 2 lead LED in series with the power to the Tortoise - No programming!
The Atlas switch machine will require some additional contacts as there is only a mementary ‘pulse’ to the machine to throw it. The decoder is not supplying a continuous current to the Atlas machine. An Atlas Snap Relay running in parallel will give you the additional contacts.
Jim
Thank you,Jim,but my Turnout-machine receive only a moment-impulse from the decoder,that´s why it doesn´t work…with the atlas i will test it
greetings,Steffen
I used this to show point position with LED’s on Peco turnouts, just under $10.00 each for all momentary switches, many other uses such as powering frogs and track.
Don’t Tortoises come with contact closures for powering signals or non-power-routing frogs?
For the Atlas units, you could get small “latching relays” for a lot less money than the Atlas relay units. They are designed for circuit board mounting, and require a bit more wiring skill, but they are electrically the same thing. If you’ve only got one or two turnouts, the ease-of-wiring might be the better way to go, but for a lot of them, look for latching relays from online electronics places.
Steffen:
The DS64 is set for solenoid (such as Atlas) from the Digitrax factory. To use the DS64 with a Tortoise, you need to change settings. Did you do that? I think the others answered the Atlas contact issue as well as the Tortoise two sets of contacts.
Here’s the link for the DS64 manual:
http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/ds64V4.pdf
Brad
You could use a seperate Loconet device(such as a Digitrax SEC8, CML Electronics DTM30, or Team Digital SIC24AD) to drive the signals and set them to the same addresses as the turnouts.
Don’t the Atlas Deluxe machines have that frog relay built into them?
OK, here is the specs on the Atlas Relay. I have 6 Peco curved turnouts and 3 of the older Atlas turnouts that are in hidden areas. I have a total of 48 turnouts, the remaining 39 are tortoise. I would have had to tear out some scenery to install Tortoise, they are up in the mountain area and no way to get to them from beneath, so I decided to use the atlas snap relay instead. I would sometimes forget which direction I threw the switch and you can’t see them, and I would have derailments. I do realize that you can configure some dcc systems to throw the turnout and direction leds, but not with mine unless I install a decoder for each switch. For me it seemed the cheapest and most efficient way to go was to install leds on my map was to go the route I did, using the Atlas snap relay. That’s all I needed the relay for was to change the led from red to green, now no more derailments due to my forgetfulness. All I do is just look at the map on the wall!
NOTES FROM OUR TECH DEPARTMENT
<br> This Snap Relay is a very useful Track Arrangement<br> Designed by Atlas Model Railroad.<br><br><br><br>FEATURES: A double-pole, double-throw electrical switch actuated by a remotely<br> controllable twin-coil, momentary power electromagnet.<br> <br><br><br> |
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Hi,CSX,I have bought a CML DTM30,but I have problems with programming-I have the DTM connect with Loconet(MS100)and 12V DC,but I can´ t programm the DTM-what can I do?
Thank you all for information, had some snap relays in drawer and didn’t know if I would ever use them !!!.
Question. Do you need to use Resisters on LED’S, if yes what value.
Thanks
Jacobo
Yes you need resistors. I purchase all my leds from a seller on eBay. Quickar Electronis, I get them for $15.00 for 20 with resistors/free shipping. They are 460 ohm resistors that come with them. The recommendation is from 460-570 ohm I believe!