Non Derail Circuit Board

Paul;

Here is a thread from about a year ago on the 6924 boards.   There are other threads.

Thanx, Mike - that thread helps greatly - I'm going to wait and see what other posts say about this problem.  I don't want to go with expensive circuit boards by Atlas if I can avoid it.  I'm not an expert at wiring so the simpler the better.  I like what was mentioned about the center off toggles -

thanx

Paul

Can throw them safely with a toggle and 2 capacitors as shown

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowThread?id=411

Dale H

Dale - I have a real hard time understanding your schematic as I have little to no electrical experience.  I do understand that the DPDT toggle plus 2 capacitors are needed. I know I sound ill informed but could you answer these questions:

1.  What is a capacitor, what does it do and where do I buy them?

2.  Is there different types of DPDT toggles - if so, which are needed for this fix?

3.  Where is the best place to purchase the #6924 circuit board?

Thanx for your advice and patience

Regards

Paul

Hello Paul

A capacitor is a electrical device that stores energy. An analogy would be a water tower storing pressure. In this instance DC current is supplied by a bridge rectifier. In the schematic the energy stored in the capacitor discharges into the machine coil while the other one is being charged. 1000uf,35 volt ones would probably work and cost maybe $1 each. Radio Shack should have them.

The DPDT toggle would be the common 2 position type,not center off. The bottom terminals are represented on the schematic.

I do not use the circuit board,I simply use capacitors and toggles. I think Atlas sells the boards directly or a train shop can order them that deals with Atlas. Check some of the Forum sponsors.

Dale H

Thanx Dale - you made this very clear.  If I went with the Atlas non derail circuit board I am assuming I wouldn't need the capacitors or toggle - correct?

Paul

The only additional thing I did with the boards after installation was add the 3 amp fuses pictured. Boards are rated at 8 amps and my track circuit fusing is 7.5 amps but I still fried a couple of boards on dead short de-rails. All of the switches are controlled with older IC Controls ASC's (Accessory Switch Controllers).
The boards:
(1.) Eliminated switch motor burnout.
(2.) Wired for powered non-derail made switch movement automatic when a train enter the switch the wrong way.
(3.) Power routing enhanced engine movement through the switches.
(4.) In addition to installing the 6924 relay boards I also installed 6930 dwarf lights, so that I could see the switch orientation, though I did not wire the 6930 dwarf lights through the 6924 relay board. It can be used with the 6924 boards.
(5.) I have (5) cross over switch sets all involve (2) track circuits.  The 6924 accommodated all the wiring to power route these cross overs.

Atlas 6924 relay basic wiring from their website. Automatic Non-derail function
Atlas 6924 power routing.
Atlas 6924 Dwarf signals added.
Access other 6924 relay wiring function on this Atlas page.

Ralph - the information you provided me is most informative.  Thanx for taking the time to help me out.  I'm going to go with the circuit boards after shopping around a while.  I'm still not ready for them as I'm still doing benchwork.  Do you have an idea where I can buy the "momentary" toggle switches you describe?

Thanx again

Paul

Mike - unbelievable wiring job!  I wish my electrical skills were as good as yours!  I might need to call on you when the time comes for wiring these boards.  I only have 7 switches so it won't be too much of a financial drain on me.  I looked over the links you sent me on wiring (relay, power, dwarf) - I'll try my best in making sense of them -

Thanx for taking the time to help me

Paul 

Hi Paul

Most electrical supply companies offer the toggles. I might suggest you go to a site like Mouser or McMaster or one of the other big ones and read about the switch types. You will get a good education there. Then when it comes to buying, Allelectric, Jameco,  Waytek or MPJA are good cheap sources with a lot of variety. Do read up, even if it is is only winkipedia before you buy.  

As alway, Mike CT has shown an excellent picture of how-to, the fusing being an important component.

FYI, though I use Z-stuff, I use the atlas boards for non-derailing features. I found it more suitable though much more expensive. I use the toggles - push button type, another variation I have mounted in my control panel - instead of the Z-stuff buttons that come with the turnouts. 

  You're welcome   Mike