Help - I need a 'timed switch'

here are some posts on the subject. You can also make a 555 circuit

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...=481&categoryId=

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...=478&categoryId=

WWW.allelectronics.com had big red switches at one time. You could also try Macmaster- car for an industrial safety PB shut off switch. 

http://www.allelectronics.com/...BUTTON-SWITCH/1.html

Dale H

At Radio Shack, they sell an arduino board and a 4 relay daughter board... About $50.  Some simple programming is required but lots of good examples are provided.

Allows for multiple pushbuttons and 4 separate controllable relay.  May be overkill, but will work well.

Ed

My plan entails 2 simple loops that I would like to control track power via a pair of 'big red buttons' and 8 operating accessories that will be powered by momentary switches.  Momentary meaning when the kid has the button depressed the swing swings or the beacon rotates then stops when he gets distracted and moves on to something else... Just to give an overall scope of things.  And it has to be reliable and work.  I think that is what I'm worried about.  I don't want to build something that I put my name on and turn over to someone else that will be a maintenance nightmare.  Lionel steamers with can motors should roll reliably on a simple loop in this scenario ...?  I don't see why not.  I want to build this, I really like my creative concept, but it has to be hardwired solid for me to be comfortable, and I'm stuck right here till I get how to power this layout nailed down.  

The timers I linked are industrial quality, very rugged and dependable. Powered by any toy train transformer. However as with anything something could go wrong and need a fix. Biggest maintenance will be lubing the loco and keeping the track clean. I would also make a soft start/stop circuit so the train does not jackrabbit start and strain components.

Dale H

Thank you Dale.  Those are great suggestions.  I'm going to keep exploring till I get this right.  Going to call an electrician and pick his brain. 

That Arduino setup posted above can be programmed to rupple through the relays stepping up track voltage on each one. Then when the time runs out it can ripple back down through them.

4 voltage steps can be made from one Transformer output with diode chains.

Any Transformer with 2 put puts can be split to 4 outputs easily with the diodes as well and will waste less in diodes.

And don't worry about the diodes, they are only in use during the accell and decel portions of the run.

I'm a real fan of the Arduino, and you can pick up the Arduino Nano and a multi-relay board on eBay for less than $20 total! 

Here's the relay board:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Chan...;hash=item1c30cea805

Here's the Nano: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Redesi...;hash=item484ef7f822