I was thinking of using Atlas #215 switches to power my track sections in place of the DPDT toggle switches. Im referring to the devices with four switches enabling me to use two cabs for simultaneous two-train operation. Is this possible, recommeded, or not recommended. If so, how many use this method to power their track?
From the crappy pic of the diagram of one, this is what Im wondering about:
Thanks, J1
i have used them on a layout in the past and they worked well. but they are spst switches and i prefer to isolate both rails for two train operation. they also take up a lot of space on the facia board than the dpdt switches. i can also put the dpdt switches around the layout where they are needed instead of grouped together.
I use Atlas selector switches on my layout as a temporary method of wiring up my blocks until I get around to building control pannels. Frankly I like selector switches, I have used them on many layouts and they work well. The only draw back to these things is that you need to refer to a diagram in order to keep track of wich switch controls wich block. My sugestion is to use selectors to get your railroad up and running and if you decide later on that opperating the layout is too cumbersom with the selectors, replace them with a track plan schematic controll pannel with togel switches.
Thanks for the info. If I do go with toggles, are they wired in the same manner as selectors are (that being the switches are all connected via a common lead from the two cabs and the two remaining wires from each toggle to each terminal section?) Kinda new to the wiring so bear with me. If I have this correct, what wires should go to what posts on the toggles?
Why would one want to elecrtically issolate both rails? This method would result in twice as much wiring than what is needed. With the obviouse exception to reverse loops there is no real need to electrically issolate both rails into blocks. On my pike the “outside rail” is the common rail and is electrically continuous, the inside rail has electrical gaps to seperate the blocks and the system works quite well.
No, You have it backward! [:0] Each cab has a seperate wire to the togel switch and one wire from the toggle to the terminal section (block). Remember you are ussing the toggle switch to flip control from one cab to the other in order to power a specific block. Atlas selectors opperate the same way.
Thanks Scott
Before going DCC I used a Atlas controller and selectors for years for 2 train operation.Its simple and takes less wiring plus trouble shooting is far easier.
One wire per block,How much more simpler can wiring get?
Very good point!
I have a small portable layout and needed a small portable/removable control panel. The Atlas selectors seem to be what I needed. Maybe if I was going to have something more complicated I would have considered going the toggle switch route. The diagram above the switches has the block numbers marked on the diagram (it’s temporary until I get a better one), but my layout is simple enough that I already know the switches and blocks pretty much by heart.
It’s no great work of art, but it works. By the way, it’s sitting on a small tv table, in case you were puzzled.
Regards
Ed
Ed, I like your idea. It would work just fine for me.
