Related to my prior "Momentary" thread: Has anyone ever mounted the Atlas solenoid vertically, below the track ? I know the whisker may not reach the switch throw-rod center at first. But if metal, perhaps a piano wire extension could be soldered/CAed onto its side to reach tie height. Then 2 things would be eliminated: the poor visual at trackside and, the buzzing sound they make, by adding something to mute it (cardboard box stuffed with cotton, say ?).
Further to your "momentary" question - and stimulated by your "buzzing" comment. There's a circuit available $10 - $15 that provides a capacitor discharge for a momentary switch. It discharges, then charges, so the power doesn't stay on to the solenoid and no buzzing. Not sure what happens if you keep the switch down, if it recycles and charges again, but isn't a problem. It takes a few seconds to recharge, so not sure how many turnouts it could power (in case of more than one operator). In this case there is quite an audible "snap" instead of buzzing, but save the solenoid circuit and more positive power to the turnout.
DD99, thanks for suggestion. I haven't heard an Atlas switch solenoid since childhood in 1956. I do recall the snap sound which i suppose was the points whacking the stock rail. Or, was that 'snap' from the solenoid ? IF so then my sound-muting idea would likely eliminate it, IF I find the under-layout mounting can be done. "I would never want to join any club that would have someone like me as a member"... Groucho !
Here's the info sheet on the capacitor unit. "Before I speak, I have something important to say" .... Groucho "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." ...— Abraham Lincoln (maybe)
I took a look. I get its function. It prevents the circuit from remaining closed long enough to burn something... As to your prior post, I'd think holding the button down would do nothing because it's already caused the capacitor circuit to do its job which likely doesn't recharge, or, at least, won't send another charge until button is let go of... Thanks again, M
