Momentary switch

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Charles Mark

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Dec 5, 2002
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I'm using Atlas powered turnouts [N]. Someone mentioned I should use momentary switches instead of the provided Atlas slide switches. Anyone know of a site that carries these? I know of toggle switches but am not sure about momentary ones.

Thanks.....Charles
 
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Gary Pfeil

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May 7, 2001
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The Atlas slide switches are momentary. No reason to change unless you want toggles for some reason. The Atlas switch will indicate the throw of the turnout without additional wiring and panel lamps. They are a bit awkward to install in place on a schematic style control panel. If you don't notice a problem with their use then why concern yourself with others opinions? I'm not saying its bad advise, just that whatever you feel comfortable with is fine.

Gary
 
ezdays

ezdays

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Feb 3, 2003
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Charles,

There are many sources to get switches of any kind. When I get to the point that I can make a control panel, I have a bunch of momentary toggle switches that I will mount on it for controlling the turnouts. What I've got is three-position momentary switches with a center off. commonly refered to as (on) off (on). There is a list of links here somewhere in another thread, The ones that come to mind are: Circuit Specialists and Mouser. These are two that I bought from frequently in the past. There's a few more that I'll try to find for you.
 
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engineshop

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Apr 29, 2003
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I use mini toggle switches like this one
75889.jpg


Here is a company I use a lot.

http://www.jameco.com
 
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nolatron

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I used the atlas switche controllers on my first layout. I had 3 or 4 switch machines melt on me because the atlas controller would get stuck when pushed in to throw the switch. After that I decided to not use them again. i'd go with a On-Off-On momentary switch like shown. Just a quick flip up or down and it'll throw the switch, and return to the center position.

On my current layout I've upgraded to tortoise switch machines with computer controlled switching with CTI.
 
ezdays

ezdays

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The technical nomenclature is: "double-throw, momentary, center off toggle switch". If you look in a catalog such as Mouser, you will find them listed as: (on) off (on), where the brackets denote momentary, or spring return.
 
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steamhead

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Apr 16, 2005
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Hi,
I use Radio Shack push-button switches for my turnouts (two per turnout), which allows me to place them on either side of the turnout "schematic" on my control panel. Make sure you get NORMALLY OPEN switches - they also sell "normally closed" which will fry your switch machines in a second when you turn the power on!!
Good luck!!
Gus.
 
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Pitchwife

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seanm said:
There is also an Ebay fellow who sells them for about $1 each. (plus free goods if you buy more then a few) Very fast shipping. He has both SPDT and DPDT (on) off (on) MOM switches. I have purchased these switches from him as well as some LEDs. I am not affiliated with him in any way other then a happy customer.
http://stores.ebay.com/Hobby-Electronics-and-Accessories
Click to expand...

SeanM is right. I have bought from him also. He has some very hard to find electronic items and is a good seller.
 
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