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Anybody have E-STOP buttons their layout? I came across a scenario where I powered up the layout and every engine powered up and took off, both MTH and Lionel. That was 26 locos that were running out of control. This gave rise to the idea that some OH SH** buttons were needed on my around the layout to shut it down in case of emergency. Just wondering if anybody else has installed them and if they work for them

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Dear Matt,

 

This happened to me quite awhile ago (at least 3 years ago) but it happened to me quite differently. Here is how I handled it one of my buttons to my track release was stuck and in the end I had a burned out section of track (which I had to replace) in fact I had to replace the stuck switch.

 

for the immediate future, in order to not be Gomez Adams with toy train crashes. Unplug your layout, now take all the powered locos off except one, then plug your plug back into the wall and test each section of track. I know it is a huge pain in the butt to do this but it works. I am handicappedand had I not had the help of two of my good friends I would still be doing it. It can be very laborious and back breaking. but it has to be done.

 

As for now, there is no other way to make an emergency cut off switch than to pull the plug out of the wall. works for me when I need it.

 

Mike Maurice

This happened to me when I did not have a remote in my hand to find the tiny little button that kills power to the layout when I had 30K worth of locos start up at full speed and take off not to mention it was both MTH and Lionel locos so having just one remote would only have averted half the disaster. Freak occurrence, possibly but it happened on my all digital layout. As for only having one loco on the layout at a time, out of the question,  My layout is fairly large, 16 X 58 with 2 duck unders. I was just wondering if anybody else had tried them on their layout

Had a similar happening on my layout when I first started using TMCC. Since then I have added a G.E. remote control relay system to the room power. It uses normally open push buttons to turn the 120 volt power on and off. One button for each. I mounted a large button on the ceiling over my aisleway. One push and the 120 volts is off. I'm not sure if G. E. still makes the system but it can be done with a power relay and a stick circuit.

Originally Posted by Matt Makens:

 wondering if anybody else has installed them and if they work for them

Yes, and YES!

  

Gilly

 

The Estop can be seen in the upper right corner. In addition to blowing a 105 db A horn, it also drops power to be control panel. 

PICT4711

 

The illuminated switch reminds me as I'm leaving the train room if the receptacles are still "on".

PICT4167

 

I have dedicated 20A circuit that feeds these four outlets.

PICT4079

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Images (3)
  • PICT4711: The estop can be seen in the upper right corner.
  • PICT4167: The illuminated switch reminds me as I'm leaving the trainroom if the recepticles are still "on".
  • PICT4079: I have dedicated 20A circuit that feeds these four outlets.
Last edited by Gilly@N&W
Originally Posted by RickO:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

The button on the Legacy only stops command locomotives that are still under control.  A runaway won't stop.  

When a TPC unit is used the button kills the power as well.

Yes, but only if you are using a TPC, most folks won't have them in their configuration if they're running strictly command.

There are ways to prevent a runaway fault or overcurrent burnout.  First put circuit breakers on all feeds to your layout as well as the input and output of your control system power supplies. You can obtain small circuit breakers on Ebay at reasonable cost. These breakers are especially helpful if you have a direct "short circuit" or several locomotives in a runaway state. I have installed both 5 amp and 10 amp breakers in my control system. I like more protection rather than less to ensure that any fault does not cause a fire or burnout of track, switches or accessories.

 

Of course you can also have one or more "panic" pushbuttons to allow you to stop engines in an emergency. The "E-Stops" shown in a previous posting are a good example of devices used in commercial power systems.

 

 

Little buttons on the remote are a nice thought but I can even find the remote when I'm not freaking out let alone in panic mode, add to that finding the button, times 2 for both systems. I pretty good at keeping my cool in those situations but at the same time when all your locos start up at full speed because of a power fluke panic hits. E-STOP buttons are big, red and hard to miss for a reason. When you need em now you can find em.
Gilly, I like your setup, I was thinking the same, 24v contactor controlling 20 amp outlets with buttons along the perimeter so no matter where I'm standing I can shut down the whole layout at the blink of an eye.

Back when I had a control panel (before TMCC & DCS) I used an emergency stop system on my old layout. I had E-Stop buttons spread around the perimeter of the layout. I had installed these in plastic electrical work boxes mounted to the bench work. Each work box had a solid cover plate on it that was drilled to accept the E-stop button and Red & Green lights. Of course when the system was on all of the lights were green, after an E-stop button was pushed all of the lights went to red. I had a master reset button on my control panel that had to be pushed/reset once the problem was corrected. This system worked perfectly for years. 

Matt;

I design Industrial Controls. E-Stops are mandatory in them.

E-Stop buttons are normally closed switches that stay in whichever position you put them in, Push for Stop or Open circuit. Pull or twist to Run.

You wire the power around the layout through all the e-stop buttons in series before it gets to the transformers.

Then if any one of them is pushed, everything stops.

Only problem with this method is you are running 120VAC all over the place.

OR,

you use a small power supply (always on or you switch it on first to run trains) through all of the e-stop switches that then holds a Relay closed. The relay supplies the power from outlets to to the transformers when closed.

Hit any E-Stop switch, the relay opens, the transformers lose power, the trains stop.

This allows a safe level of power to be run all around the layout and keeps the 120VAC in the area of the Relay and transformers. It is therefore safer.

 

Jerry;

Amazing price, I gotta grab some of those.

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