Wiring separate LED Indicators for MTH RealTrax Turnout position.
I have developed a very simple circuit to provide LED indicators on my control panel which show the positions of my MTH turnouts. I use small red and green LEDs which are mounted in my Dispatcher Board. See an attachment.
The following describes a Turnout Test Board which is used to illustrate how these LEDs provide indication of turnout position along with the MTH controllers supplied by MTH.
I have developed a special wiring scheme and a few slight modifications to the MTH RealTrax line of turnouts (switches). I have built a Turnout Test Board which incorporates some wiring features that I have developed for my model railroad control system and illustrates these modifications.
In addition to the MTH controller supplied with the MTH switch I have also built a small control board which shows the use of small momentary pushbuttons and LEDs which could be mounted on a model railroad control panel. With each pushbutton is an LED indicator which shows the switch position.
NOTE: All my special circuit modifications are mounted on the underside of the Test Board. (not shown)
As shown on the Test Board the switch can be controlled any of 3 ways:
1. Using the MTH controller supplied with the switch.
2. Using either of the momentary pushbuttons
3. Using a signal from one of the MTH AIU "SW" terminals.
I use the MTH DCS control system along with a custom annunciator panel (Dispatcher Board) which shows the condition of the track and all turnouts.
On my layout all wiring will be hidden including the electrical connections to the turnout. The switch terminals will be accessed at the underside of the switch and NOT through the top side. For example the wiring as shown on my Test Board will be completely hidden on my layout since I will replace the screws supplied by MTH with machine screws, washers and nuts and all wiring will be connected via the underside of the switch.
