Wiring a Rotary Switch

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I’m planning to use a rotary switch to actuate several GG uncouplers in a yard. I got a rotary switch from Jameco but they came without wiring instructions. There are no obvious markings on the bottom of the switch indicating what goes where. The switch is 2 pole, 6 position. There is a circle of 12 connectors and an inner circle of 2 connectors.

Can someone give me an idea of where the power connects and where the wires to the uncoupler go?

thanks

ralph

2

Is this a momentary rotary switch? If not I don’t see how it will work as an uncoupler trigger.

I would check the Jameco site to see if they have a wiring diagram. If not it is going to take some trial and error to get it figured out.

6 of the 12 connectors correspond to positions 1 - 6 for pole 1, and the other 7 - 12 correspond to positions 1 - 6 for pole 2. I think you really wanted a 1 pole 6 position rotary switch. The two inner poles are your ‘source’ feeds. The outer 12 are your destination feeds… so you could have 1 or 2 sources and 6 destinations, or 1 or 2 sources and 12 destinations… depending on how you wire it.

For example:
If you want 12 destinations from one source you would wire the same source into both inner poles.

If you want 2 sources and 6 destinations each you tap one source to each inner pole… then run your wires to the destinations (these could be the same 6 destinations, or 12)

Hope this wasn’t too confusing…

3

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to use the rotary switch to ‘dial up’ the subject uncoupler, then with a single momentary switch, one that comes with the track, activate it. This instead of having all of the momentary switches clogging up the valuable control space.

I have written to jameco, but not gotten a reply. there are no wiring diagrams that I can locate.

From your description

Power [A] ====>center pole ====>momentary switch

Common[U}===>momentary switch

Outer terminal ===> Uncoupler

Momentary Switch===> Uncoupler

Does this look close?

Ralph

4

Close

A ==> [momentary] ==> center pole (position 1 to Uncoupler 1, position 2 to Uncoupler 2, etc)

U would go directly to all Uncouplers.

5

I have a number of uncouplers, but no switches dedicated to them. Instead, I use the controller for the turnout nearest each uncoupler. A typical siding has an uncoupler close to the turnout; and I may have another one on the main line, both on the trailing-point side of the turnout. I use DC for both uncouplers and turnouts; so I can isolate the two with diodes, so that the anti-derailing control rail doesn’t energize the uncoupler. You can use a simpler diodeless AC setup if you don’t have the control rails.

6

Brent

Thanks again. I think I have it.

I plan to use a restable fuse so the button doesn’t stick and fry the uncoupler track. Any suggestions on the best place to install it?

Bob

These sidings come off of a Lionel Transfer table w/extension so there isn’t a switch nearby to consider your suggestion.

Ralph

7

Not sure where I would put it as I’m not an EE. My assumption would be to put it between the trigger and the rotary switch so you only need one per pole.