michaelp Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 I am going to be building a control panel soon with track diagram and points indicators but have a question regarding switching the point motors, am I correct in thinking that if I use push buttons I would need two for each point whereas a SPDT toggle switch with switch both routes? Electrics and electronics are not my strongest subjects but I can usually muddle my way through when pointed in the right direction. Any advice would much appreciated Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelp Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share Posted November 18, 2016 Depends on what you're using: solenoids need 2 push buttons, whereas a true point motor needs a DPST switch, to reverse polarity. Sorry should have said, I am using Peco PL10 point motors. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted November 18, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 18, 2016 You may also want to do a bit of thinking about how you are going to operate any signals and if these are to be interlocked with the points. Using multi-pole switches gives opportunities for doing this simply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Yes, you are correct for solinoids. Two PB of the non locking press to make variety are needed - One for the Normal and one for the Reverse positions of the point motor. Where a cross-over pair of points are to be operated you can use three PBs, one each in the straight routes which are linked together and one in the cross over direction. While one in each of the straight routes may seem excessive it simply means pressing either one on the mimic plan sets the cross-over point back to straight ahead route. If you opt for toggle switches ensure they are of the sprung to centre off type often referenced as (On)-Off-(On) where the bracketed (On) can't remain On when the switches lever is released. Some have used conventional locking toggle switches with a PB wired before each switch. Set the switch to the direction needed then press the PB to operate the point motor. They say the switches lever gives a visual indication to the points position. IMO if panel LED indications are used which are from a point motor operated switch then the LED gives the indication even if the toggle lever has sprung back to the middle Off position as in the first sprung switch option. A look at my point wiring in the link may help you further?... http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical.html#Motor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted November 18, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 18, 2016 Yes, you are correct for solinoids. Two PB of the non locking press to make variety are needed - One for the Normal and one for the Reverse positions of the point motor. Where a cross-over pair of points are to be operated you can use three PBs, one each in the straight routes which are linked together and one in the cross over direction. While one in each of the straight routes may seem excessive it simply means pressing either one on the mimic plan sets the cross-over point back to straight ahead route. If you opt for toggle switches ensure they are of the sprung to centre off type often referenced as (On)-Off-(On) where the bracketed (On) can't remain On when the switches lever is released. Some have used conventional locking toggle switches with a PB wired before each switch. Set the switch to the direction needed then press the PB to operate the point motor. They say the switches lever gives a visual indication to the points position. IMO if panel LED indications are used which are from a point motor operated switch then the LED gives the indication even if the toggle lever has sprung back to the middle Off position as in the first sprung switch option. A look at my point wiring in the link may help you further?... http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical.html#Motor I quite like this way of operating (with a push button to "fire"). If you use a powerful enough CDU (capacitor discharge), you can set the route and then change all at once. As Brian says, this means that your toggle witches can be set out like the levers in a signal box and, as I mentioned above, if you use multi-pole switches, the other poles can be used to interlock routes and signals. It's a rather traditional way of doing things but I like it as it matches well with a steam-era layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelp Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share Posted November 18, 2016 Thanks to all of you for replying, I think I will probably go for toggle switches for point operation. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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