Using Atlas snap relays with TMCC

What "TMCC switch control box" are we talking about here?  The Snap Relay is intended for brief switching currents, if you leave voltage on it for any length of time, they do cook and die.

Sir:

I am using the ASC3000 switch controller. I think what I may have done wrong is wire two switches in parallel to one ASC3000 relay terminal( "comm., 1O, 1T.) I thought I could make a "route"this way and save some ASC3000 capacity. With two switches and a snap relay all working off one ACS3000 relay I may have over loaded and drawn too much current thus cooking the snap relay. After some research I see when building a "route" each switch has to have its own ASC3000 relay, and the ASC3000 is programmed to remember the route. I guess that's the down side of buying on e-bay and not always getting all the item documentation....

I don't think that has anything to do with it. We're talking about the IC Controls ASC3000, right?

From the ASC3000 manual.

The ASC3000 can control 4 remote switches. Remote switches that form crossovers can be wired as one output and selected as one switch.

The relays in the ASC3000 can handle up to 15 amps, so over current isn't a factor.  Also, the ASC3000 only powers the switches momentarily as long as you hold the button and 1/2 second after you release.  Again from the manual.

The switch movement will remain powered for a 1/2 second after the release of the THROUGH or OUT buttons. To operate a slow motion Tortoise switch machine simply hold the THROUGH or OUT buttons until the switch is completely thrown, approximately 2-3 seconds.

I'm not seeing how this is cooking the Snap Relays.

This is the device I'm looking at, I have a couple of these.

I have ASC 3000's and if you hold the button on the Cab1 handheld too long it will cycle through two or more momentary-s, enough to fry an Atlas snap motor.  Assuming it, (ASC 3000), is programmed for momentary, it can be programed otherwise.  Eventually I added the 6924 relay boards with time out feature to inhibit  switch motor burn out, the primary purpose of this device. IMO.
A burned switch motor.

(6) ASC 3000's (5) pictured control 24 switch motors. (16) single switch motors and (4)sets of (2) cross overs. , the two devices far left are BPC's (Block Power Controllers). There is also a Lionel SC2 used for the 25th switch.  Lower right ASC 3000 is used for accessory control and is programmed and wired different as can be noted.

6924 relay boards.  Right in this picture.


Note the (2) grey twist nuts on the left of each board. Though and Out inputs from the ASC 3000's and non-derail wiring from small isolated rail sections near the switch are doubled into the board, either Cab1 control, or automatic non-derail control. It is also possible to fry a switch motor from non-derail inputs.  The 6924 relay boards also prevents this.  

There are no push buttons to activate Atlas switches, so the only way the motors would fry was via the ASC 3000's/ Cab1 remote control.

I have several (pairs) of switch motors (cross overs) wired as was described in the original post with no ill effects.  The Atlas 200 snap relay is probably equivalent to the second switch motor. I didn't do non-derail inputs until I installed the 6924 boards, so the (3) fried motors were a problem of the ASC controls. 

Here is a link to another thread on Atlas switch machine burn out.

I'm learning but maybe my question or the info I gave is misleading here.  The two Atlas switches I have wired in parallel controlled by one output of the ASC3000 would be much the same as a crossover so I guess that's not an issue, especially if the ASC3000 relays are rated at 15amps. It's not the switch motors that I'm having heat problems with. I have an Atlas 200 snap relay in parallel with the two switch motors that controls my red/green signal LEDs. That's the relay that is over heating. I will have to check to see that my ASC3000 is programmed to momentary...didn't know about that.  I do have the ASC3000 wired to switch the hot lead. The ASC3000 gets its input power and common from my main transformer but all the switched power and commons for the relay and switch motors come from a secondary CW-80.  Not sure how the ASC3000 is wired internally but I can't imagine this would create an issue. I appreciate the education and I will check to see that the ASC3000 is programmed to momentary tomorrow am. Thanks again

The ASC3000 may be programmed incorrectly, or you're holding the button too long.  A couple of seconds of power should not be enough to overheat the snap relays.

I did check the programming on the ASC3000. I put a meter on the switched output and even if I just touched the aux1 or aux2 the output stayed on for about 3 seconds. I reprogrammed a couple times and now the output is truly momentary. Hope this fixes things. I was testing things and switching many times in a row so the original 3 sec mode may have really almost been continuous to the snap relay. Thanks again. I'll let you know how it works...right now the "honey do's" are taking priority. 

If you left it running continuously, or nearly so, for 20-30 seconds, that's probably enough to smoke things.