K-Line LED Switch Question

The K-Line controllers can be reverse-engineered - I think they are LEDs and diodes only - which will enable you to use LED indicator(bulbs) in the signal bridges.  This is the simplest, or you can get into relay activation off of the 3 volt output from the switch.

I will try to find my K-Line controllers tonight and see what's inside.  I've never used the controllers.

It's just a diode logic circuit. Here is a "RH" controller(I only have rights it turns out) board removed from the housing up close:

 

 

 

 

 

I have the schematics of the turnout and controller that I can post or email as you want.

Can you post them here?

Roger, WILCO.

 

 

 

Thanks, always like to have this stuff so when the questions come up I know what's inside.

Why not just build that simple circuit that is in the remote?  What are you trying to accomplish?

Trying to tie signal bridge into turnout as indicator light. Not sure how the controller circuit would work. 

The switch does not work when I connect the signal bridge to the terminal posts like on the older style switch with incandescents.

 

The idea is to rewire the bridges with LEDS and tie into the turnout. One way for sure is to remove the existing LED and tap into the sockets. My question was can I just connect them in parallel to the existing turnout LEDs so I can keep the LEDs on the turnout.   Or is there an even easier way.

 

Like I said, not my area of expertise. Slowly learning.

You might not even bother asking anyone at radio Shack about electronics. They only know cell phones, and only from a service plan standpoint. As far as technical assistance... forgetaboutit.

Never asked the Radio Shack guy for advice. Just where they kept the LEDs. Their 5mm Red and Green are exact replacements for the ones in the turnouts. Not sure what is in the controller but they are much larger in size. The 5 mm is perfect size for the signal bridge replacements. Green is 3. VDC 20 mA Red is 2.6 VDC 28MA About a buck apiece and I only need 4 each for my yard. But ideally I would want to dispense with the controller because they work fine with SC-1 and fixed voltage. Attaching the incandescent mess it up because unlike the older style switch there is always voltage at both terminals. 3v ac and 12v ac when operating at 12v ac fixed voltage.

I am trying to get a simple layman schematic on the forum of how wire with any specs on additional diodes or resisters as required.

Other than the obvious of using the existing 5 mm LEDs on the turnout and extending the leads to reach the signal bridge.

Hi,

 

You can use our DZ-1008 relay module to directly connect to the K-Line switch machine which is identical to our DZ-1000. It senses the switch machine position and has a SPDT relay that can handle 10 amps. See www.z-stuff.net.

Fred it appears that nobody has answered your question, "Can I hook up LEDS in the signal bridge in parallel with the ones in the LED circuit?". If it was me I would do something like that. I'm no expert anymore but I would find out the value of the resistor that's in series with the LED and wire one like it in series with the add on LED and wire that in parallel with the existing LED and resistor. Chime in guys if you don't think that would work.

Ron

Ron, that should work just fine, at least I'm not seeing why it wouldn't.

Thanks for the responses and ideas. I now feel pretty comfortable experimenting without fear of melting something. I also just placed an order for 4 of the relays. I have a few old Marx signals that I want to use but would prefer to leave original. Fred