Kline O42 switches

Just connect the two posts together that you want to control each other/together, just like on a 022 or 1122. This is independent of how the switches are powered.  Here are the two ways to accomplish this, switch to the other hookup if you want the alternate operation. One controller will operate both switches.

Thanks Rob. Should I wire the grounds together as well or just control post. I am hoping to not have to run miles of wire

it's my understanding that when you use external power the 2 wires going to the posts are the grounds.  I have about 40 and mine work that way.

BTW: you cannot have them switch different directions if you are using the controllers.  You can though with DCS (I don't have TMCC so I can't comment on that).  If they are both going to switch in the same direction then controllers can be used.

walt

From the wiring instructions its saying to wire mid wire from controller to ground terminal. Since I am trying to slave the switches, i was assuming i could just jumper ground terminals

@ROB O GAUGE KID posted:

...Should I wire the grounds together as well or just control post...

The "GR" posts are already connected through the track. But you can make transformer power connections here to cut down on lockons if you wish, even using the last post(furthest away from switch motor) for a center rail connection when you remove the jumper plate.

Yes that's my intention. Thank you all

@ROB O GAUGE KID posted:

From the wiring instructions its saying to wire mid wire from controller to ground terminal. Since I am trying to slave the switches, i was assuming i could just jumper ground terminals

ROB: you mention 'from controller'.  I'm sure that you know that with K-line switches, at least for the ones that I have, a right hand switch MUST have a right hand controller and same for left hand switches/controllers.

If the 2 that you are connecting are BOTH right or BOTH left, then yes you can use a controller, as long as you want BOTH to change in the same direction.

I learned that a while back.  Since I use DCS, which doesn't involve using the controllers, I get away with left/right combos.

-walt

Thanks Walt.

The controllers are in the boxes the switches came in but I didn't look to see if they are marked specifically to match the direction of the switch. Didn't realize they were matched. 1st time using Kline switches. I'll check and follow up on the post.

Thanks Again

On a tangent, K-Line 18" heavyweight passenger cars under floor details will hit the track switch housing unit if on the inside of the curve.  John

@walt rapp posted:

... I'm sure that you know that with K-line switches, at least for the ones that I have, a right hand switch MUST have a right hand controller and same for left hand switches/controllers...

Only for the LED / low profile motor driven switches. The original solenoid operated switches do not have dedicated controllers.

@rattler21 posted:

On a tangent, K-Line 18" heavyweight passenger cars under floor details will hit the track switch housing unit if on the inside of the curve.  John

Not on the LED / low profile motor driven switches. The original solenoid operated switches, yes, there is a clearance issue.

@ADCX Rob posted:

The "GR" posts are already connected through the track. But you can make transformer power connections here to cut down on lockons if you wish, even using the last post(furthest away from switch motor) for a center rail connection when you remove the jumper plate.

Thanks Rob for the Drawing. So if I understand this right,  I can Wire F terminal with Accessory power and then remove jumper plate and wire Transformer control to that post? In essence,  the F terminal powers only switch Motor and the "Track terminal will work as the lockon? do I have that right?

@ADCX Rob posted:

Only for the LED / low profile motor driven switches. The original solenoid operated switches do not have dedicated controllers.

i didn't realize there was an old style.  My K-line O27 switches are fairly old and they are all the low-profile ones.  Did he mention which he has and I missed it?  I'll have to go back and see.

- walt

@ROB O GAUGE KID posted:

In essence,  the F terminal powers only switch Motor and the "Track terminal will work as the lockon? do I have that right?

Precisely.

@walt rapp posted:

My K-line O27 switches are fairly old and they are all the low-profile ones.

These were the very last production before K-Line folded. If you do a search like THIS, you will see mostly the original solenoid operated versions.

Rob,  like I said, mine are probably 20 years old if not a bit older.

@walt rapp posted:

...mine are probably 20 years old if not a bit older.

Yes, those are the last runs. The Instruction Manual I posted 12/13/13 has a 1992 copyright date and illustrates the second generation switches that have 30º turn sections like the low profile models, the original 1980's switches have 45º turn sections like this:

wow, i never saw those.  time for me to get uninvolved here!

Rob and Walt - thanks for posting this info on K-Line 42" switches. I started accumulating them 5 years ago and built a bedroom layout. Then Covid hit, kids come back home, and I lost my bedroom but regained basement space, so back to the basement.  The new layout's benchwork is done and I'll be laying track as soon as the weather chases me inside. 

I have a mix of the two vintages of K-Line 42" switches, some that came with the longer 30-degree turnout and others with the more traditional, shorter/blunt turnout track.  In fact, in a few cases, I cut the longer track with my dremel! 

I didn't realize the switch controllers in some cases were specifically left or right. Figured they were all interchangeable.  Is there a way to tell if a switch controller is left or right? Is it labeled as such.

Thanks again for the education!

@raising4daughters posted:

I have a mix of the two vintages of K-Line 42" switches, some that came with the longer 30-degree turnout and others with the more traditional, shorter/blunt turnout track.

The short ones are 30º turn sections, the long ones are 45º turn sections.

@ADCX Rob posted:

The short ones are 30º turn sections, the long ones are 45º turn sections.

Yep, I think I realized that as soon as I hit Post Reply. Do the longer ones require the dedicated left or right controller? If so, I think I can identify them among my switches.  The 30-degree switches have the plastic ties, but the 45-degree switches do not.

@raising4daughters posted:

Do the longer ones require the dedicated left or right controller?

No. Dedicated controllers are for the newest versions only, w/ LEDs and motor driven switch machines like these:

@walt rapp posted:

i didn't realize there was an old style.  My K-line O27 switches are fairly old and they are all the low-profile ones.  Did he mention which he has and I missed it?  I'll have to go back and see.

- walt

Walt no I never mentioned it, didn't realize there were 2 different style. Here's the ones I have

ADCX Rob, what are the model numbers of the switches with a 45 degree turn? I want to post a question on using them in the track plan forum.  Thanks.

@MarkVB posted:

ADCX Rob, what are the model numbers of the switches with a 45 degree turn?

They are K-275 & K-276. The curve is 20.17" radius, 45º for track planning purposes.

@ADCX Rob posted:

No. Dedicated controllers are for the newest versions only, w/ LEDs and motor driven switch machines like these:

Got. All of mine are use the bayonet bulbs, not LEDs.

Sorry to the original poster for somewhat derailing this post.

@raising4daughters posted:

Got. All of mine are use the bayonet bulbs, not LEDs.

Sorry to the original poster for somewhat derailing this post.

Actually supplied info I didn't have after 30 years I'm catching back up, Slowly.