Gargraves Uncoupler/Unload Track Using Lionel Controller

This should work. The GarGraves site shows an 18VAC power supply, but I suspect anything in the 14-18V range would work. The Lionel UCS track allows for external power, and that's essentially what this is doing, only with the GarGraves.

Both have Left Control Rail (LCR), Right Control Rail/Coil (RCRCL), and Ground (CL) connections. On the GarGraves track (CL) connects to external power through the control box. The fourth connection on the Lionel UCS track, which isn't needed for this configuration, is for power from the center rail to the control button box.

If it's wired correctly, looking at the 4-conductor ribbon cable from the UCS control box:

The left conductor is ground. This connects to the return side of the AC power supply and the track 'CL' connector.

The 2nd conductor from the left connects to the track Left Control Rails (LCR).

The 3rd conductor connects to the 'hot' side of the AC power supply.

The 4th conductor, on the far right, connects to the Right Control Rails and the other side of the coil (RCRCL).

And that should get you up and running.

Thank you Len,  I really appreciate your time  I'm going to be working on this later today and I'll post my progress.  Thanks again.

Paul

No problem, and that's looking at the Lionel ribbon cable from the top. I think the GarGraves track terminals are actually numbered 1, 2, and 3, which matches what I call LCR, CL, and RCRCL.

I wired up the Lionel controllers to the Gargraves uncoupler/unload track sections and they work fantastic!! Thanks again to Len for his precise diagram and instructions.  If anyone else is interested is was actually easier to wire the Lionel ones than the Gargraves and the Lionel controllers are way more user freindly.

Paul

Glad I could help, and that everything worked out okay.

I looked at the wiring diagram on the GarGraves web page. And the only thing I can figure is they make you press 2 buttons to operate is to keep from accidentally frying something if a button gets something set down on it.

I think your right but I've got an 19 month old Grandson that loves to sit with Poppa and run trains, it would be very difficult for him to press 2 buttons that are as hard to press as these.  Not sure why they chose buttons so hard to press but your guess is probably the answer.

Paul

Len,

I am having somewhat the same issue. Small kids find it difficult to operate the Gargraves 3 button controller. I want to wire it using momentary toggle switches. Any idea on how that hookup would look? I am not the strongest electrical wizard by any means. I primarily want to use the uncouple aspect since that also activates many of my Lionel dump cars.

I figured it out. I have connected the red center wire on the Gargraves 108 uncouple/unload track section to ground (common). Then connect the white wire or the right hand screw connection to accessory power through a momentary switch. This only allows you to control the uncouple magnet which also activates magnetic unload cars. The unload side works just the same, connect the black wire to a momentary toggle since the red is used a ground. Thanks for all the help and diagram from Len2.