Is there a problem with making an extension cable that reduces the plugs from 2 turnouts to 1- to use a single blue Kato switch to control the pair simultaneously? I had Marklin HO trains 50 years ago, and this was easy and OK to do with their plugs and wiring. I am just getting started with the Kato N gauge, DC, and wanted to start with a simple "M2" type oval with side track with simplest control available for my young grandsons.
Interesting question and in my experience the answer might be "maybe". When doing this with solenoid switch machines, sometimes one machine works fine and the other is lazy, requiring a second press of the control to energize it. I'm not an Engineer, but I think that the current is absorbed by one solenoid more than the other, rather than being evenly distributed across both. I found that if I pressed the control for a bit longer, the lazy solenoid would often work its way over. This was my experience on my N railroad, but it wasn't Kato. With hope that your notion might work, Kato sells a double crossover component which places four turnouts under control of two wires and one controller. Not to overcomplicate, but this circuit is said to overcome these challenges by using capacitive discharge: http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/g-ray-stilwell-bcd-circuit.109069/ I'll have the exact opportunity as you on my new railroad with Kato and I too am uncertain. Can you share your experiences as you experiment? Thanks!
There shouldn't be any problem, in fact Kato sells a "Y" cable specifically for this purpose. In fact, the double crossover is FOUR independent switches, all actuated from a single source
Thanks to you both! Mr. Stillwell's approach is very elegant, but a bit of controller overkill at the moment- but I'm filing it for when/if the boys start wanting to build up the set-up in a few years. I haven't seen the "y cable", but it sounds just like what I had in mind.
I have a Peco double crossover which uses 4 solenoids. I drive 2 at a time using a probe contact method. There are only 2 situations to cover , straight or x over. For each change I have to do 2 activations. When first installed I tried activating all 4 solenoids. This wasn't reliable one always failed to change, so went to 2 at a time. Using Tech 4 350 to provide power. Maybe the surge was too much for the power supply or a "lazy" solenoid.
I suppose a higher amp power supply might overcome the reluctance of some solenoids to move in unison with others, but it would come with a risk of burning out coils if current was applied for too long. All in all Maxy, if your power pack has a bit of extra muscle, I think you'll be fine. At least with Kato, if it doesn't work you can quickly wire in two controllers.
