Can I use a lighted toggle switch that is rated at 12 volt DC to control my block sections of track?
My layout is AC but at no more than 14 volts. Does the switch care if its AC or DC? I'm resurecting my 50's vintage Lionels and want to do the wiring right this time.
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Can I use a lighted toggle switch that is rated at 12 volt DC to control my block sections of track?
My layout is AC but at no more than 14 volts. Does the switch care if its AC or DC? I'm resurecting my 50's vintage Lionels and want to do the wiring right this time.
Volts aren't necessarily the issue. The current (amp" rating of the switch is more important.
Can I use a lighted toggle switch that is rated at 12 volt DC to control my block sections of track?
My layout is AC but at no more than 14 volts. Does the switch care if its AC or DC? I'm resurecting my 50's vintage Lionels and want to do the wiring right this time.
I use lighted rocker switches (from automotive area in stores) which have an LED for the light. The switch has the following contacts, EARTH, LOAD, and SUPPLY. The LED is between LOAD and SUPPLY in a direction for the 12vdc on SUPPLY when the switch is closed to light it. I connect the transformer "A" power 18vac to the tab labeled SUPPLY, and the block center rail to the tab labeled LOAD, and the EARTH tab to a diode anode with the cathode connected to the transformer "U" power side of the 18vac. The diode protects the LED from the reverse polarity of the 18vac. The half wave of the 18vac is well below the average DC maximum required by the LED for this 12 Vdc switch.
You could try it without a diode, but LEDs are somewhat limited to 5 volts reverse and your 14 vac is going to peak at 20 volts during the reverse phase.
So the answer is you can use a lighted switch ac or dc with some thinking about the ac useage if the light is an LED.
Can I use a lighted toggle switch that is rated at 12 volt DC to control my block sections of track?
My layout is AC but at no more than 14 volts. Does the switch care if its AC or DC? I'm resurecting my 50's vintage Lionels and want to do the wiring right this time.
I use lighted rocker switches (from automotive area in stores) which have an LED for the light. The switch has the following contacts, EARTH, LOAD, and SUPPLY. The LED is between LOAD and SUPPLY in a direction for the 12vdc on SUPPLY when the switch is closed to light it. I connect the transformer "A" power 18vac to the tab labeled SUPPLY, and the block center rail to the tab labeled LOAD, and the EARTH tab to a diode anode with the cathode connected to the transformer "U" power side of the 18vac. The diode protects the LED from the reverse polarity of the 18vac. The half wave of the 18vac is well below the average DC maximum required by the LED for this 12 Vdc switch.
You could try it without a diode, but LEDs are somewhat limited to 5 volts reverse and your 14 vac is going to peak at 20 volts during the reverse phase.
So the answer is you can use a lighted switch ac or dc with some thinking about the ac useage if the light is an LED.
Thank you for a very detailed answer! Mechanical issues are no problem for me but I'm learning the electrical end. The tip with the diode is very valuable. Is there any size diode I should be using? Your answer was extremely helpful.
If he is using his 1950's stuff, max volts he would be using at any one time is going to be 14-16. But by planning ahead, go with 18 in case you want to go with command control, which has a constant 18 volts to the track.
Can I use a lighted toggle switch that is rated at 12 volt DC to control my block sections of track?
My layout is AC but at no more than 14 volts. Does the switch care if its AC or DC? I'm resurecting my 50's vintage Lionels and want to do the wiring right this time.
I use lighted rocker switches (from automotive area in stores) which have an LED for the light. The switch has the following contacts, EARTH, LOAD, and SUPPLY. The LED is between LOAD and SUPPLY in a direction for the 12vdc on SUPPLY when the switch is closed to light it. I connect the transformer "A" power 18vac to the tab labeled SUPPLY, and the block center rail to the tab labeled LOAD, and the EARTH tab to a diode anode with the cathode connected to the transformer "U" power side of the 18vac. The diode protects the LED from the reverse polarity of the 18vac. The half wave of the 18vac is well below the average DC maximum required by the LED for this 12 Vdc switch.
You could try it without a diode, but LEDs are somewhat limited to 5 volts reverse and your 14 vac is going to peak at 20 volts during the reverse phase.
So the answer is you can use a lighted switch ac or dc with some thinking about the ac useage if the light is an LED.
Thank you for a very detailed answer! Mechanical issues are no problem for me but I'm learning the electrical end. The tip with the diode is very valuable. Is there any size diode I should be using? Your answer was extremely helpful.
I use a rectifier diode, a 1N4003. The 4000 diode series are 1N4001 to 1N4007. They are all about 1 amp and vary in breakdown reverse voltage from 50 vdc to 1000 vdc I think. So I use one with about 200 vdc breakdown which will more than handle any reverse voltage in the toy train electronics. That would be the 1N4003. You should be able to get them at Radio Shack. The 1 amp is overkill as well, but no harm and versatile for anything up to 1 amp.
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