Lighted buttons for switches . . .

@BobRoyals posted:

Good Day,

I have HO "in the mountains" above the O scale, and I'd like to get some lighted switch buttons that I can screw into the control board.  Also considering this with the lower O scale layout.  Any suggestions or links are appreciated.  Thank you for your time.

Well, the simplest I've used are the simple lighted doorbell switches that are available at any hardware store. Most now use LEDs that span the two switch terminals, and rely on typical doorbell-circuit voltage (usually about 18 VAC, I believe) to light the push-button, momentary contact switch when not depressed. If you are using track or accessory voltage on the controlled circuit, the light should work just fine, and all you'll need to do is drill a hole in your panel to fit the switch and run the wires. The only 'glitch' I've encountered is that the LED switch light will 'bleed' enough current through to dimly light any LED being controlled, or even slowly spin a low-draw motor:

https://youtu.be/AFBHSwCWwoE

I declared the "glitch" was instead a "feature" when I found the slow rotation was even more prototypical than the high-speed rotation with the button assist, so I left it in, and just added a separate on-off slide switch to disconnect the battery, to avoid early discharge!

@BobRoyals posted:

... I'd like to get some lighted switch buttons that I can screw into the control board.  Also considering this with the lower O scale layout.

Are the lights in the buttons intended so that you can see their location in the dark, or is it the case that when they're lighted the illumination indicates something else, like perhaps the position of a turnout?

Mike

Mike, I'd like to see the position of the turnout on the board with the illumination.  Thanks.

Bob

The place to go is www.Digkey.com below, if they are available they will have them.  Have fun shopping.

https://www.digikey.com/en/pro...EDuCaAxihkSALoC%2BQA

Charlie

@BobRoyals posted:

I'd like to see the position of the turnout on the board with the illumination.  Thanks.

Bob,

So a single pushbutton or spring-loaded switch could be used.  Each time you push the button, or toggle the switch, the turnout alternates its position and the light inside the pushbutton or switch changes color to indicate which position it's in, red or green for instance?

Do I have that correct?

Mike

Correct.  Thank you.

Sorry, I see for track switches.

Bob

I do not think it is easy to have a switch or panel light to stay on when the switch in each position.  You have not stated what track switches you have.  I am familiar with Marx 1590 switches and have looked at a Lionel 022 switches and controller.  If a track switch position light would be acceptable on the switch itself, both makes of switches can be had with that.

If the indicator light must be on the control panel both Lionel and Marx switches,  then micro switches must be added to each switch to indicate the switch position.  This is because both brands use two momentary switches to operate the track switch solenoid and it can not be operated continuously to keep an indicator light on. The micro switches would operate the panel light.   I do not believe there is a push button or other type of switch that can both operate one circuit as momentary and another circuit to operate the lamp continuously.

I use a work around to operate and know the position of my track switches that may help you on your the track switch position problem.       This is could be a real problem on my layout of 31 Marx switches that do not have automatic anti- derailment feature.  I have two active track diagram control panels and momentary mini push button switches on the diagram for each track switch position.  The way I determine the position of the track is 1- remember which position the track switch is in ! -or 2 - simply trace the track route on the track diagram and press each switch activation push button switch on that route and then remember.  The is no way I could operate 31 Lionel track switch controllers all lined up and know which switch controller operated which track switch.

The below photo shows my main control panel.  For the two main loops the track switches have push buttons switches with green colored buttons. Most curved position track push button switches have red colored buttons.  Some track switches are always worked pairs and have two track switches operated by only two push button switches.  Example:  the switches on the bottom connecting the outside and inside loops.

I can see many of my track switches to determine which way they are set.  But many are not visible from the control panel.  A few are in the mountain and a tunnel and are not visible so the track diagram must be followed and buttons pressed to insure they are set correctly.  A big problem of the hidden mountain and tunnel track is determining if the track is occupied with a train.  The top track is hidden and has three isolated outside rail used as switches to operate three signal lights to indicate if the track is occupied.

All three lights on below, indicate the track is full.  One light indicates that section of the track is occupied.  Signal light is on a building covering the exit of the track from the behind the back ground,

Details above from my write up at https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1   Table of contents bottom post 1, page1

Bob if you provide more details on your track switches and how they are operated and the control panel you have, others may be more informed to help you.

Charlie

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

Bob

I do not think it is easy to have a switch or panel light to stay on when the switch in each position.  You have not stated what track switches you have.  I am familiar with Marx 1590 switches and have looked at a Lionel 022 switches and controller.  If a track switch position light would be acceptable on the switch itself, both makes of switches can be had with that.

If the indicator light must be on the control panel both Lionel and Marx switches,  then micro switches must be added to each switch to indicate the switch position.  This is because both brands use two momentary switches to operate the track switch solenoid and it can not be operated continuously to keep an indicator light on. The micro switches would operate the panel light.   I do not believe there is a push button or other type of switch that can both operate one circuit as momentary and another circuit to operate the lamp continuously.

I use a work around to operate and know the position of my track switches that may help you on your the track switch position problem.       This is could be a real problem on my layout of 31 Marx switches that do not have automatic anti- derailment feature.  I have two active track diagram control panels and momentary mini push button switches on the diagram for each track switch position.  The way I determine the position of the track is 1- remember which position the track switch is in ! -or 2 - simply trace the track route on the track diagram and press each switch activation push button switch on that route and then remember.  The is no way I could operate 31 Lionel track switch controllers all lined up and know which switch controller operated which track switch.

The below photo shows my main control panel.  For the two main loops the track switches have push buttons switches with green colored buttons. Most curved position track push button switches have red colored buttons.  Some track switches are always worked pairs and have two track switches operated by only two push button switches.  Example:  the switches on the bottom connecting the outside and inside loops.

I can see many of my track switches to determine which way they are set.  But many are not visible from the control panel.  A few are in the mountain and a tunnel and are not visible so the track diagram must be followed and buttons pressed to insure they are set correctly.  A big problem of the hidden mountain and tunnel track is determining if the track is occupied with a train.  The top track is hidden and has three isolated outside rail used as switches to operate three signal lights to indicate if the track is occupied.

All three lights on below, indicate the track is full.  One light indicates that section of the track is occupied.  Signal light is on a building covering the exit of the track from the behind the back ground,

Details above from my write up at https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1   Table of contents bottom post 1, page1

Bob if you provide more details on your track switches and how they are operated and the control panel you have, others may be more informed to help you.

Charlie

Charlie,

I am going to use the SPDT Atlas switches to control my Atlas customline Mark IV HO switches.  I'd like to wire in two different color LED's to indicate switch position.  Watched a video of a modeler across the pond who hooked a switch in with LED's and some resistors and solder, but I'd like to avoid the resistors and solder if possible.  If not, then unlighted Atlas SPDT momentary switches should do just fine.  Thank you for your insight on this topic.  When I reach out on this forum, I know that I am tapping into deep resources.  This experience did not disappoint!