Been playing around trying to add a signal light to my 5122 o27 switches. Here's a video of my progress so far.
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Neat idea!
I would love to do that but the task to up-root dozens of switches from Warrenville to retrofit them would be astronomical. Same with the independent power supply mod for these switches (like the O gauge switches) - I wish I knew of that mod before construction too.
Think I have it figured out to where it can all be done from the top by just removing the solenoid cover and it also puts them on dedicated power and cuts power to the side that is thrown
Glad you posted the video. Another forum member shared this thread. I'm looking to accomplish something similar. Seeking the red/ green indication at the toggle near the transformer. Below is the link for informational purposes.
Can you kindly provided direction/ instruction on the modifications made to the O27 track switch? Looks like about 7 or so wires and I know nothing about electronics. However I do follow directions well and learning to use a solder iron. ; )
Much appreciated if you can post in the forum or email me directly.
Thank you.
Yeah I'm still tinkering with it hope to have one done and operational by the end of the week. You'll have to run two small gauge wires back to your control panel for the led but shouldn't be a problem. I'll make sure to take pics along the way and do a write up with part numbers
Thank you in advance. Now I'm looking forward to the end of the week for a completely new reason.
Just yesterday my wife stated I never finish a project that I start. I think it would be great to get this done before shower tile, toilet value, dry wall, etc...I just keep telling her I reprioritized her "honey do" list. Cheers!
Richsoucie,
When you finish your signal light project I'd like to see your wiring diagram. I have the O gauge 022 switches on my layout but I'm curious how you've wired the bi-color LED to stay on (via track power?) since there are no moving contacts in a 5122 switch.
Got one done gonna take pics on the next one for a tutorial
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Very nice results. Is your light getting track power?
Looking very positive. 
Mine is setup for aux power but you could do track power. I didn't forget about the how to just got busy
Richsoucie, understand. A bit of a busy week or so for most. I'll continue to check from time to time and see if your detailed "directions/ instructions" are shared. TY.
Had a couple leds blow out when a train derailed on the switch. Think the diode wasn't rated high enough. Going to switch out for bigger ones and test it out for a bit. Don't want to give you guys a how to if it's not 100%
@Former Member posted:Had a couple leds blow out when a train derailed on the switch. Think the diode wasn't rated high enough. Going to switch out for bigger ones and test it out for a bit. Don't want to give you guys a how to if it's not 100%
You may need to put a TVS diode in the switch to clamp spikes. The resistors will limit current, but will have no effect on the maximum voltage that hits the LED.
I had a diode in place to stop reverse voltage spikes pretty sure they were undersized for the application. Its what I had on hand and they were doing alright until I had a few derailment at the switch. Bigger ones are on order
@Former Member posted:I had a diode in place to stop reverse voltage spikes pretty sure they were undersized for the application. Its what I had on hand and they were doing alright until I had a few derailment at the switch. Bigger ones are on order
That diode wont do the job of a bidirectional TVS... a 33 volt TVS diode wired from the common outside rails to the center rail somewhere in the switch body should help extend LED life.
I understand what you're saying the diode was put in simply to block the high reverse voltage that was blowing the leds. All I had on hand was very small switching diodes which were only rated to 200ma. The led and solenoid are not being powered by the center rail but rather auxiliary power on their own transformer I think it happening after the derail was just a coincidence
You need protection from high forward voltage spikes as well if you continue to suffer damage from shorts, circuit openings, and the collapsing of current in inductive fields originating in the track.
I'm a dummy must've been tired when I put together the ones that blew had the diodes in series instead of reverse parallel.
@Former Member posted:I'm a dummy...
No sir! This is a great project share...!
Not even sure how exactly the led lit up in the first place with the diode installed the way it was. 
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Very nice! Can you share the mechanics of your invention?
I think the green lamp should indicate the straight route, and the red lamp indicate the siding, no? Or is this switch at a point where the main goes off to the left, and the siding takes the straight route?
Yes green main line and red is side. I do have two switches where the main line is the curve so it lights green when the curve is selected and red when the straight is selected. I will be doing a write up at some point wanna make sure everything is good first and this month is busy, got 3 birthdays and Christmas but I will do my best to get it done
Hi Rich - Diodes in series, diodes in reverse parallel, resistors, transistors, etc... all a new language to me. Things that go boom are typically fun. The time afterwards is less enjoyable as damage control starts. Appreciate the Q/C effort. Enjoy the holidays. Kindly keep us posted.
