Atlas turnout safety circuit protection?

Do a search for the Atlas 6924 Relay board.  Not an easy fix, but they will protect the circuit with a built in time-out feature, as well as, adding non-derail function, and power routing. 

6924 relay board.

Thanks mike..i was hoping for something simpler..maybe a resistor capacitor circuit or

You can use a capacitor discharge circuit. Let me find and example...be back in a few.

Here's one from forum member Dale H  Dale does everything in conventional and there are quite a few more of his circuits for various features where this one is located.

I have some more examples in some books I have, but I would have to hunt them down and scan the pages. If you would like to see any of those let me know and I will hunt some down.

So would a cap across the positive and negative leads of the 12vdc 500ma cube be the same?

I don't think so, it seems like there was more to it than that. As I recall there was supposed to be something to prevent the cap from re-charging if the switch stuck, a drain of some sort, like maybe a resistor or something. I didn't look at Dale's that close, but it now seems like something is amiss? Although he is pretty knowledgeable in these things and I suspect his circuit works, just not sure?

I will dig around for some of my books in the next day or two and see what I can find. Tomorrow is my grandson's birthday or I would be after these things sooner. Stan or GRJ can probably draw one of these in their sleep, maybe they will be by before I can get to the books.

rtr12 posted:

I don't think so, it seems like there was more to it than that. "As I recall there was supposed to be something to prevent the cap from re-charging if the switch stuck, a drain of some sort, like maybe a resistor or something."I didn't look at Dale's that close, but it now seems like something is amiss? Although he is pretty knowledgeable in these things and I suspect his circuit works, just not sure?

I will dig around for some of my books in the next day or two and see what I can find. Tomorrow is my grandson's birthday or I would be after these things sooner. Stan or GRJ can probably draw one of these in their sleep, maybe they will be by before I can get to the books.

That's what i was thinking...waiting on the electron pundits to chime in

No need to go overboard with this. If you don't want to use the controller that comes with the switch use a spring loaded center off 2 way toggle switch.

Rod Miller

Some have discarded the Atlas switch motors, and replaced them with DZ 1000 switch motors, which are designed with an internal disconnect/off after the movement.  Most of the wiring is the same. Non-derail and Power routing can be added to the DZ system also.  The DZ 1000 also has interesting LED indication, both at the push buttons, and on the switch motors.    I've worked with both the Atlas 6924 boards and the DZ system.   If I had a choice based on install, probably the DZ 1000's.     

You would be spending some money to change the switch motors.  

IMO, Mike CT.  

Willy:

the least expensive and easiest way to protect the motors is to replace the slide switches with DPDT momentary center off toggle switches. Mine are overkill - 1 amp switches.

The slide switches that come with the turnouts were notorious for sticking. Atlas O replace them with a deluxe 57 switch but those were recalled for problems. the toggle switches cited above are the best alternative in my opinion.

You did right using a DC voltage source. It will allow the motor to run cooler. I used rectifier diodes in line between the toggle switches and the motors to cut my AC into DC. Between these two I think you will be fine. I have not had any issues with burned out motors since doing this.

As stated above the ultimate solution is to gradually replace the Atlas O motors with DZ 1000 motors as they age or burnout.

Joe

I haven't had a chance to go digging for my old books, but here is one from the internet Cap Disch Circuits. This site is provided by a guy named R Paisley and it has some other great model RR circuits and info on it as well. Home page to all circuits. 

I have not tried his Cap Disch circuits, but I have tried a few others and they all worked just fine. Lots of other good info here too, good site. When I am looking for something this is the first site I usually visit, in addition to searching the OGR forum. Although I have never ordered one, he also offers PCBs for some of the circuits he has designed on the website.

Excellent site...circuit "B" of interest ,thanks RTL12

You are welcome. And yes, do look around that site, it is a very good one, IMO.

GRJ just posted this in another thread today. I believe they were doing the same thing you are trying to do here. Anyway, thought it might be worth a look unless you are happy with the earlier link to Mr Paisley's pages. Just kind of a FWIW here.

Like trains, one can never have too many of these nifty little electronic gadgets!!

rtr12 posted:

GRJ just posted this in another thread today. I believe they were doing the same thing you are trying to do here. Anyway, thought it might be worth a look unless you are happy with the earlier link to Mr Paisley's pages. Just kind of a FWIW here.

Like trains, one can never have too many of these nifty little electronic gadgets!!

Thanx RTR..i caught GRJ"s post as you did.

Can anyone explain, perhaps including pictures, exactly how to connect a DZ1000 to an Atlas switch and have it give a positive throw of the switch in both directions?  This would be of great benefit.  Thanks.  John

I installed my DZ-1000 to my Atlas switch about 3 years ago so details are sketchy. It's also the only one I have. Best advice I can offer is get the DZ-1000 lined up with the throw bar of the Atlas switch. Out of the 3 spring linkages that come with the DZ-1000 find the one that fits the best and install it. Wire up the DZ-1000 and test to make sure it works. If required, adjust as needed. Here are some pictures of mine, that may help some.

Thanks RTR12.  This looks very helpful.  I do have the very spring linkage shown in your pictures so I can give it a try.

One question:  from your last picture it looks like you might have put a shim under the DZ1000.  Do you remember if you did, and if so, what thickness you used?  Thanks again.  John

Glad that helped. I didn't use any shims, the DZ-1000 is mounted directly to the plywood top of my layout table. Good Luck!/