From a newbie with DCC:
How do I power turnout machines on a DCC layout. I am using Atlas turnouts with under the layout Atlas machines. Can I use track power or what?
Thanks in advance.
Use the AC terminals on a DC powerpack. One of the cheap trainset packs is good for that. Use the Atlas switch controllers and wire it up like it is said on the instructions. Dont mistake the DC for the AC, you can only use AC power for the switch machines.
[#welcome]
Actually you can use either AC or DC.
Actually, DC seems to work perfectly fine on the half dozen atlas machines in my hidden staging.
I use a capacitive discharge circuit with about 10,000uF to throw two at once. You just need to make sure that the power supply can put out enough current (or use the CD system). AC or DC doesn’t matter.
[#welcome] to the forum.
Karl
Do NOT use straight DC, what a CD supplies is very different from straight DC.
The problem with straight DC, from a power supply with sufficient power to through the machines reliably, is that the control switch will arc, wearing then control switches very quickly, and probably overheating the coils of the machines.
Use a CD (capacitive discharge) system if at all possible. AC is 2nd best.
Thanks to all of you who replied to my post. Glad I kept my old DC power pack. That seems to be the easy way to go.