Using Dcc, How Can I Hook Up Lights To My Turnouts To Signal Which Direction.

steamhead

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Apr 16, 2005
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No...he's talking about a control panel...I think...

If so, your switch machines should have relays that power a circuit depending on the turnout position. Wire up your lights to these relays and you're set to go...
 
Thank's Gus

steamhead said:
No...he's talking about a control panel...I think...

If so, your switch machines should have relays that power a circuit depending on the turnout position. Wire up your lights to these relays and you're set to go...

I'M SO NON ELECTRONIC MINDED, COULD YOU POSSIBLE ELABORATE ON WHAT KIND OF RELAY I SHOULD USE, IF POSSIBLE WHERE TO GET THEM. THANK'S IN ADVANCE :)
 

rogerw

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Jun 16, 2006
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I dont think snap switches have extra contacts on them but someone correct me if Im wrong. So if you want to get the extra contacts you wil have to up grade
 

60103

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I think we have another thread on this topic. The snap switches don't have the contacts for extra lighting and the rails are all powered all the time so you can't wire lights to them.
The one solution was a "snap-relay", which is a snap-switch switch machine that operates a DPDT switch instead. It gets wired in parallel to the snap switch and throws at the same time (same control buttons). This can be wired up to lights or signals.
 
That's It

60103 said:
I think we have another thread on this topic. The snap switches don't have the contacts for extra lighting and the rails are all powered all the time so you can't wire lights to them.
The one solution was a "snap-relay", which is a snap-switch switch machine that operates a DPDT switch instead. It gets wired in parallel to the snap switch and throws at the same time (same control buttons). This can be wired up to lights or signals.

Perfect Journeyman Pooh Bah, that sounds like it is just what I was hoping for so the momentary power that power's the turnout will also power the DPDT relay switch and I connect that to the light with external power. I can take it from there, Thank You so Much for your very helpful input. :wave:
 

steamhead

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Apr 16, 2005
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Why would you need a DPDT switch..?? Just common wire all the lights and have the power routed by the switch only to the "open" side of the lights..?? Eliminates a lot of wiring...
 

YmeBP

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Dec 3, 2006
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Here is one of them:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26200

I've asked this quesiton too, and in that thread above it was suggested that snap relay's are what i need. So now i have a couple on my kid's 4x8, i've also scanned the instructions and linked it here:

Finally got it done
smile.gif
, Here is the link to the pdf of the snap relay documentation:
http://www.skyersfamily.com/gallery/...elay1.pdf.html

Click the "download document" link.
So after actually putting them on my layout i've run into a couple of logistical issues.
1) It's easier to wire 2 separate single color led's than 1 multi-color led (at least in my mind)
2) think carefully about what you want to accomplish :) i went overboard on my signaling hahaha ended up w/ led's everywhere had to scale it back a bit.
3) the resitors, i've read and read, printed diagram after diagram, an expert now at ohms law .. still nervouse about popping my leds from over voltage hehehe.

I've been posting photo's of my progress here:
http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26923

and you can view full sized images here in case you want to see how it's all wired up:
http://www.skyersfamily.com/gallery/v/Trains/4x8/

I'll be posting some more pictures tonight after i wiretie all the loose wiring.

60103 said:
I think we have another thread on this topic. The snap switches don't have the contacts for extra lighting and the rails are all powered all the time so you can't wire lights to them.
The one solution was a "snap-relay", which is a snap-switch switch machine that operates a DPDT switch instead. It gets wired in parallel to the snap switch and throws at the same time (same control buttons). This can be wired up to lights or signals.
 
Thank's for the heads up YmeBP

Thank You YmeBP, it's always helpful to see someone Elses view, and thank you for the E-Mail, it will help when I get mine. announce1 :)

YmeBP said:
Here is one of them:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26200

I've asked this quesiton too, and in that thread above it was suggested that snap relay's are what i need. So now i have a couple on my kid's 4x8, i've also scanned the instructions and linked it here:


So after actually putting them on my layout i've run into a couple of logistical issues.
1) It's easier to wire 2 separate single color led's than 1 multi-color led (at least in my mind)
2) think carefully about what you want to accomplish :) i went overboard on my signaling hahaha ended up w/ led's everywhere had to scale it back a bit.
3) the resitors, i've read and read, printed diagram after diagram, an expert now at ohms law .. still nervouse about popping my leds from over voltage hehehe.

I've been posting photo's of my progress here:
http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26923

and you can view full sized images here in case you want to see how it's all wired up:
http://www.skyersfamily.com/gallery/v/Trains/4x8/

I'll be posting some more pictures tonight after i wiretie all the loose wiring.
 
Enamored With Your Layout

Hello Marlon, and thank's again for your super input on the snap relay information, I have 12 on order I was able to find on eBay. I have to ask where you got your plan for your 4 X 8 Layout, it appears to be a super slick layout, and I am planning another 4 X 8 expansion to my layout soon, could you let me know where you found it, and what plan you are following. Thank's again for your very informative input to my thread on the turnout light wireing help for Atlas Snap Switch's. Duane Hampton "Keep On Tootin" AT&SF Duey E-Mail: planeshavings42@gmail.com

:wave: :wave:

YmeBP said:
Here is one of them:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26200

I've asked this quesiton too, and in that thread above it was suggested that snap relay's are what i need. So now i have a couple on my kid's 4x8, i've also scanned the instructions and linked it here:


So after actually putting them on my layout i've run into a couple of logistical issues.
1) It's easier to wire 2 separate single color led's than 1 multi-color led (at least in my mind)
2) think carefully about what you want to accomplish :) i went overboard on my signaling hahaha ended up w/ led's everywhere had to scale it back a bit.
3) the resitors, i've read and read, printed diagram after diagram, an expert now at ohms law .. still nervouse about popping my leds from over voltage hehehe.

I've been posting photo's of my progress here:
http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=26923

and you can view full sized images here in case you want to see how it's all wired up:
http://www.skyersfamily.com/gallery/v/Trains/4x8/

I'll be posting some more pictures tonight after i wiretie all the loose wiring.