The layout I am building, has two MTH 72" switches that move the train from the outer loop to the inner loop, and two MTH 72" switches that move the train from the inner loop to the outer loop. These switches are butted together on one side of the layout. My question is what is the best way to star wire these switches? Do I do them as group, or separate them per loop?
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On my layout with a similar crossover, I wire the remotes together in parallel so when you want a train to move from inner to outer, both switches move to the turn position at the same click of the remote handle. Same for the opposite two.
I also feed all switches from a different transformer, not track power.
Finally, make sure the inner and outer loop transformers are phased!
Hope this helps,
Ed
Thanks for the reply. I guess I didn't word my question well enough. For DCS power blocks and star wiring, should I put all four of these switches in one block or separate the switches in a block for the inner loop and one for the outer?
GT&T,
I do pretty much the same as EddieM, now with my CC FasTrack switches it maybe a little more complicated however. No star pattern for the switches, wire them in pairs and for most layouts power your switch from their own transformer.
PCRR/Dave
Thanks for the reply. I guess I didn't word my question well enough. For DCS power blocks and star wiring, should I put all four of these switches in one block or separate the switches in a block for the inner loop and one for the outer?
I would separate the switches for the inner and outer loops as you describe. Planning to do the same thing on my layout.
Hope my chiming in isn't an insult to the originator and/or the contributors to this thread.
I'm not familiar with the makeup of the switches in question. I have K-Line O-27 switches, which are built to accept either track power or external power. For my switches, I use the external power option.
There is absolutely no connection made between the power source for the switch motor and the track so I don't factor that in when deciding how to block my DCS controlled layout. When I have 2 switches back-to-back, as is the case here, I typically isolate the 2 switches from each other with a center rail disconnect, but not always - it depends on the track configuration.
The source of the power for the switches is not a consideration in my blocking scheme.
If you just have 2 simple loops I'd put each switch in a separate block.
OK, back to the more knowledgeable!!!
- walt
Thanks for all the info!!
Must agree with Walt.
Especially if you plan on using DCS on the layout, Power the switches separately.
The coils in the switches eat DCS signal bad.
This takes them out of the star completely so where you block becomes a choice, but I block between switches from loop to loop.
This keeps conventional unit from changing speed in the area of the switch.
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