Signal dwarf lights using Lionel Fast Track and MTH AIU DCS system.

Brian,

As a furloughed Government employee...I had the time this afternoon to as least figure out how to make your dwarf signal work with the fastrack switch. I had to completely disassemble the switch controller in order to figure out how it works, but I got it done. Really simple...Please see the drawing below. Now to make it work with your DCS system is an unknown to me. But the schematic below is directly from the Lionel controller minus the switches and 1 pair of LEDs.

My understanding is you can use the Yellow wire from the Fastrack switch to indicate position .... as described in this OGR thread. 

The yellow lead IS the switch position feedback.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

The yellow lead IS the switch position feedback.

Right.  Thanks for the confirmation. 

The wiring I suggested is similar to what jayhawk500 is suggesting and something I figure you can do without purchasing any additional components.  The diode is not need if wired as shown below.  For the resistor, to get started, you can use the 1K you already have (the LEDs will be a bit dimmer).  But you can double up (in parallel) two 1K resistors to "make" a 500 (LEDs get brighter), or put four 1K in parallel to make a 250 resistor which is close enough to the 220 suggested in other threads.  So using just 1K resistors (which presumably you bought in a multi-pack), you can experiment to find a brightness that works for you.

WOW! - Thank you everyone for all your input.  Honestly this gives me a warm fuzzy feeling (no idea what that feeling is called).  I will hopefully get this bread boarded up today or this weekend and keep you all posted.

I would NOT have figured this out for myself.    

I knew the yellow wire did something but could not figure out what it was doing or how it worked.

Chris - I am so sorry you are furloughed and truly hope you are back to work soon.  I was surprised how many people I have met in the Buffalo area are affected.

Stan - Your drawing is really helpful.

Again, thank you all,

Brian

Follow up 

 ****** It all  'just works'! ******

    ******* Thank you *******

I'm pleased it work out for you. The signals look great.

Just an update to show one turnout finished and temporarily wired.  I still need to wire everything properly as I have wires everywhere.  I have also opted to use the Lionel switches with the the turnouts.  It all works thanks to every ones help.  The lamps on the turnouts are covered by a small box I 3-D printed and painted silver (inside I painted it black to absorb light).  I did not disable the lamp as the track has been ballasted and for resale purposes.

Again,

thank you to all who helped me.

Brian

Hi Brian,

What you did looks really great !  Thank you for sharing.

I do not have a 3D printer, but my neighbour do... and  he once offered me to print one or two things for me, if this could help me.  Good neighbour !

Could you share the file required to print the dwarf ?  Or indicate a source where I could get it ?

That would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Daniel