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I am looking for a good toggle switch to handle power control for sidings / programming track.

 

Our layout uses TMCC / Legacy, DCS and ZWs. If I remember correctly not all switches are command system signal friendly.

 

If you have a manufacturer / model number that would be great. We make our purchases through Allied Electronics.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

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I have not heard of toggle switches causing signal problems.  

 

Most toggle switches close and hold contact with a strong positive pressure, so they should pass the signal through fine.   where you might see problems arise, is in the making and breaking rating.    Usually toggles are rated for closed contacts and making and breaking connections separately.   The closed rating is often quite high, for example the old rotary switches I bought from Radio shack had contacts rated 120v and over 12 amps I think.   However, the rating for making and breaking was only .3 amps!.   They assumed you would not have power on the contacts when you closed them or opened them.   Opening and closeing them under power could burn the contacts and that could cause signal problems.

 

Go to your local hardware or electronics store and look over the selection.   Pick a switch rated for at least 15-20 amps closed and that has an making/breaking rating of a few amps or what you feel comfortable with.  

 

All Electronics sells a lot of surplus parts like this and their prices are great if you need a bunch.    Check their website also to see if you can find somethng.

Originally Posted by xferyard:

I am looking for a good toggle switch to handle power control for sidings / programming track.

 

Our layout uses TMCC / Legacy, DCS and ZWs. If I remember correctly not all switches are command system signal friendly.

 

If you have a manufacturer / model number that would be great. We make our purchases through Allied Electronics.

 Thanks in advance.

 

At All Electronics search toggle switches with a minimum 15A rating.

A couple available now:

SPST ON-OFF HEAVY DUTY TOGGLE SWITCH

ON-OFF TOGGLE SWITCH, 15A

 

These will last as long as the modules.

 

A few months ago, I changed to some like cjack is using for the added LED status light. After seeing several of his posts about them I just couldn't resist.  The built in LEDs are very handy for checking status of the switch, especially when looking at them from a distance. I got them here: 30 Amp LED Rocker Switch with LED

 

Prior to that I was using a 15 amp toggle from Digi-Key 1091-1022-ND with a 432-1241-ND On/Off nomenclature plate.

 

I am using DCS and Legacy, command control only and neither of these switches has ever caused a problem with signal or anything else on my layout. I use them to control the power to sidings so I can shut down power to parked trains.

I wish, instead of a 20 foot trailer we would need a semi or two. My back was 6 feet off the wall when I took this picture, The room is approximately 16,000 sq ft  and the modules a paltry 780 sq ft.
 
The venue for our show (the Denver Mart) uses this space for storage and private (vendor) functions. If possible we will stay in the space (except for two shows) until Christmas.
 
 
 
 
 
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

If you're going to fill that room, you need more track!

 

 

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