Good morning. I was given an older kato switch that the points click into position and stay without using a control switch. I hope that makes sense. What are these switches called and are they still available. Thanks
Are you seeking a controller for the Kato switch? The part shown below is Kato 24-840 controller and they are easily found. Kato switches are DC powered. You'll also need a connecting cable if you don't have one on hand.
Yep, a momentary contact toggle switch will work well. I'm using non-momentary toggles with a capacitive discharge circuit so that I can use LEDs to indicate turnout position. A capacitor will be located at each turnout.
Wow! Talk about yer neatly laid out electronical thing! It's beautiful to a former circuit designer and builder! But, I think Brighid may be saying he want's more of the track switches that stay in position without using electrical control. Yes? or no? Doug
I'm uncertain, but all Kato N Scale turnouts have a manual control on the top that can be used in lieu of electric control.
Thanks. You do some nice work. Only trouble is I don't recall what a capacitive discharge circuit is. I did a mail order/computer electrics course back in later '80s and helped wire a few layouts. HO, O and then N. But back then we didn't have LEDs. We used little lights used in circuits, mainly automotive, that didn't have computer control. Now everything does. So I need to learn how they work and what they require. I just got "The Complete Atlas Wiring Book" and "Atlas All-Scales Track and Accessory Catalog". So I'll be doing some studying. Thoug I've been leaning towards Kato Snap Tracks. There "switches" are different. Rich
Can you take a closer picture of your Open control panel and explain to us about, NOT using momentary switches to be able to use the LED to show direction. I think I need to rethink my momentary switch situation? And of course love your professional work, it's amazing! I am also curious as to what your Power source is? I think me and @Shortround want to know? And others new to this also.
The best place to start are at the links below. Note that these are for Kato turnouts only, but it you look around on Rob Paisley's site, he might have an AC twin coil circuit too. Several circuits are shown that will provide LED indication of turnout position. These are inexpensive and pretty easy to build, fun to mess around with and bench test. For power supplies, I'm using these at https://www.allelectronics.com/item/ps-1272/12-vdc-3-amp-power-supply/1.html G Ray Stillwell's circuits are at: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?resources/g-ray-stilwell-bcd-circuit.153/ Rob Paisley's circuits are at: http://www.circuitous.ca/5ToggleSingle.html
Capacitors store current and deliver it in a brief burst, so they're ideal for this kind of circuit and the circuit is designed to shut current flow after each movement, so the Kato coil doesn't burn out. The only thing I can't bench test is a cascading of currents through the panel, i.e. throw one switch and the current or recharge current flows on to the next turnout and unwantedly throws it too. An electrical engineer explained it to me and I barely understand the nature of it, but I added a diode (a one-way valve for current) to supposedly put a stop to any chance of it. I'll only know when I build the layout and have two dozen turnouts on line.
Technically, capacitors store electrical charge (Coulombs). Current (Amperes) is defined as the change or flow of electrical charge per unit time (Ampere = Coulombs per second). As charge in the capacitor increases (delivered by current flow through the capacitor), the voltage across the capacitor increases, and vice versa. The unit of capacitance (Farad) is defined as Coulombs per Volt, which can be re-written as Amp-seconds per Volt. So you can get current from a capacitor by allowing the charge to either fill or drain the capacitor with/of charge.
I remember what a capacitor is/does. But not how the circuit is put together. The Tech description is a bit much as well. All my books for that are gone. That's why I'm so inquisitive.
Thanks a ton, but I'll be sticking with the simple Momentary switch wiring or worst case the Atlas default switches for the turnouts. Glad mine is only 2' x 4', each base Once again, thank you!
