I can't afford DCC at this point in time as much as I'd love to have it, so I'm wiring my layout for two-cab block control, which i figure is easy to convert to DCC anyway once I get a system and will allow for a bunch of flexiblity otherwise. I have a Mouser catalog which seems to be an incredible resource with wholesale prices and fast service. Has anybody done business with them before? I'm looking at DPDT switches for the blocks but I'm somewhat of an electronics novice. Should I make sure to keep above a certain current/amperage rating for switches controlling track power? I don't want to fry a tiny switch if I have 2-3 locos lashed up. Does anybody have any switch manufacturer or type suggestions? Thanks for any help Derek
Any toggle switch rated 5 amp/ 125V is fine. This is a standard value. They are available in all different sizes. Mouser is excellent to deal with. David
Hi Derek....... I have about 2 1/2 dozen dpdt switches. The last half dozen have center off. I wish I had all of them center off. Don't worry about frying those switches. I ran 4 engines on a long train and they all worked fine.
I agree and would like to emphasize that a center off position is very important. I don't think it costs much more and the center off gives a lot more flexibility. Also, I purchased in lots of 100. I think I used about 250 switches on my layout, and the extra 50 are spares. They do go bad, periodically.
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