Sawmill Control

Don, I just use a momentary on-off switch for my sawmill. It's easy to hook up, just two connections. You could also use a #364 from Lionel or make your own if you're so inclined.

On my postwar layout I use Lionel 364c switches to control the sawmill (as well as some other accessories). They work great.

Thanks gentlemen.  The 364 is an off/on switch, right?  If I use the Momentary switch as as Iashu50 suggests do you have to hold it down, just push it once for each log, or what.

I'm interested in wiring it with two controls, one at the main control board and the other on the fascia near the sawmill (for my grandkids and other visitors).  I believe that if I used two momentary switches I could bring power to the first switch, then on to the second, then from the second terminal on switch 2 back to the 2nd terminal on switch one and from there to the saw mill.  Ground from the sawmill to ground buss.  Either momentary switch would close the circuit and send power to the sawmill.  (I was assuming they would be off-on switches.  The listings for the 364 on eBay describe it as an on-off switch.  Why would we want the power on all the time).

Would the same parallel wiring work with the 364?  Should it be normally off or normally on when not pushed.

My sawmill is the 4147.  TrainZ included no directions and no switch when I bought it.  However, one set of directions I found on line  (for the 464R 2004), shows the power going directly to the sawmill and then to a slide switch on its way to ground.  I know little about wiring, but I assumed that the switch(s) would be on the power in side.  Or does it not matter.

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While we're talking about wiring, how do I get constant auxiliary power to the uncouple - unload track.  I don't want to relay on track power. 

Don, I use a momentary on-off because I typically only run 2-3 logs through the mill and it's no big deal (for me) to hold the button down for 10 seconds, since I'm not trying to operate multiple operating accessories at the same time when I'm running my trains all by myself. If you're running more logs than that through the mill, a 364 may be better as you won't have to keep your finger on the button for so long.

Although I've never done it, I would think that you could operate the saw mill from two distributed switches. I think I know how that wiring would look, and it should be pretty simple, but I'll defer to one of our crackerjack Forum members who is knowledgeable about wiring to help you with that.

On my layout, I have separate transformer posts for my track and my accessories. On my ZWs I'll run track leads to some transformer posts and accessory leads to different posts, which prevents track power from being diluted.

I looked at the Lionel Owner's Manual for your Sawmill, and it does recommend that you place the switch in-between the Sawmill and your transformer ground post. Don't know if it matters whether the switch is paced in-between and power or ground, but I would follow what's in the manual. 

Hope that helps.......I'm sure others will chime in with their take on your questions.

Ron

Thanks!  I'll follow the instructions even though I don't understand them.  I like the idea of a momentary one log at a time switch (holding it down for two or three).