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Control Panel Design - Wiring

B bhoergerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I need help designing a system of controllers and indicators lights on my control panel for a total of 32 remote-control turnouts (switches) on my layout, consisting of an assortment of Lionel Nos. 612-3010 & 3011 O-gauge switches, Nos. 5167 & 5168 027-wide-radius switches, and Nos. 1122 027 switches, and also Gargraves Nos. 113 and 114-RC 042 switches with DZ-1000 machines. I’d like to use the same type controller for all the turnouts regardless of make/model.

All turnouts and their respective controllers and indicators will be powered by a stand-alone transformer.

My control panel must be extremely compact; it consists of a vertical panel with the track diagram, in which I want to insert separate red & green LEDs as turnout-indicator lights, and a horizontal panel on which to install the controllers. These must be small - the available space is 1-1/2" x 2" for each controller.   Thus, Lionel stock controllers won't work for me.   (BTW, although I’ll be operating command control as well as conventional, I want to control my turnouts from a panel and not through the hand-held cabs or remotes - although I appreciate that would resolve my space problem.)

My “vision” is using small, return-center, center-off double-throw toggles (on the horizontal panel) wired to operate the turnout and the respective indicator lights (on the vertical panel).   I presume I would need to include some type of relay to maintain continuous illumination of the respective indicator light until the turnout is reversed but I don't know what type of relay to use. I’m not sure whether the LEDs can be powered by the AC used for the switches or whether they must be DC, thus requiring something to convert the voltage. I’m also unsure about adding resistance to the circuits to the indicator LEDs will be necessary. Of course, I may be overlooking or misapprehending some resources or issues.

I’d deeply appreciate thoughts on designing this set-up, including suggestions for controllers, LEDs, relays (if needed) and any other appropriate devices and for wiring schematics. Thanks to all for your consideration.

Bill

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B bmoran4OGR Forum Member

There is a lot to unpack from your request, but one issue I think you will run into is that the Lionel O-27 switches do not "report" their throw direction as the traditional Lionel O gauge switches do. This will make accurate representation on your panel difficult without an extreme amount of ingenuity. Remember that just keeping the indicators in sync with the control panel inputs won't suffice for two obvious reasons - first, at power on, what is the initial throw direction? Second, the anti-derailing feature of the track may be triggered and change the throw direction. Getting a bit more in depth, use of a non-momentary control switch needs careful consideration to ensure that the switch machine motor/coils of the O-27 switches do not burn out due to inadvertent continual operation.

Additionally, you mention accessory/fixed voltage supply - these same O-27 switches are not designed for accessory power - tricky modifications have been documented and performed.

I'm not trying to "rain on your parade", just being realistic so you appreciate that what you are signing up for is a real electronics and modding project - not just connecting a few wires and switches and lights.

B bhoergerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Actually, notes of realism are exactly what I need, and appreciate, right now.

I believe I solved the fixed voltage issue on the 027-042 (027 wide radius turnouts) when I installed them years ago.  (This layout has been a long-term, fits-and-spurts project.)  I have a power drop from each of them that I connected - somewhere - inside the housing.)   I'm not sure about the (single) 1122 which is on a spur at the back of my layout - will have to check that out on Tuesday.

I was envisioning that the center-return, double-pole toggles are, indeed, momentary controls similar to push-buttons - just move the toggle to "normal" or "reverse/diverging" for a second and when its released, it returns to center-off.   Maybe my terminology is misleading.

Reconciliation of the throw direction with the indicator light on the panel when the throw is motivated by the non-derailing feature is something I hadn't considered.   This might be a situation that I leave to old fashion, dispatching or "tower man" responsibilities, and don't attempt to address through some complex additional layer of relays.

Thanks  very much for responding.

Bill

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Tags: Wiring, Control, turnout, LEDs, panel
Views: 431
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