|
|
 Posted - October 18 2009 : 2:33:37 PM
|
When I did the trackwork on my layout way back when, I put a block in between the main loop and the long siding. I've never bothered installing a switch so I can turn power to the siding on an off. My question is, can I use a household lightswitch for this?
Edited by - DaCheez on October 18 2009 2:34:09 PM
|
Country:  Canada ~
Posts: 3448 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: March 11 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - October 18 2009 : 3:27:07 PM
|
Sure can! That's how I did mine.
Here's a diagram:
If you use regular SPST switches like I did, it doesn't really matter where you connect the wires to the switch. (SPST switches only have two screws on the back  )
I like household switches because they are MUCH cheaper than switches from The Source, which is the only place for me that sells electronic parts. Plus if you buy matching covers for them, they look very nice when built into the benchwork of a layout. 
    
- Matt -
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 1021 ~
Member Since: August 24 2008 ~
Last Visit: January 05 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - October 18 2009 : 4:09:10 PM
|
Thanks Matt. I thought someone here had mentioned doing it before. It wasn't working for me though so I thought I'd ask...turns out one of the wires was connected to the contact for the "ground wire"(third screw )...oops
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3448 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: March 11 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - October 18 2009 : 5:07:44 PM
|
Oh. Haha, yeah that might result in nothing happening.
- Matt -
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 1021 ~
Member Since: August 24 2008 ~
Last Visit: January 05 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 07 2009 : 2:18:01 PM
|
Ok so, this is interesting. I've had this block in for the past few weeks. It works fine, but for some reason, if there is a train parked on the blocked siding and another train running, when I put power to the blocked siding, the parked train starts up, and the running train speeds up Adding another train should make the other one slow down shouldn't it?
Edited by - DaCheez on November 07 2009 2:18:24 PM
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3448 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: March 11 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 08 2009 : 5:17:54 PM
|
Do you have two power packs running together (one for the blocked siding, one for the rest of the layout)? Weird that the train should speed up.
-Jacob
Quote: "I didn't fail, I just found 1200 materials that won't work"
-Thomas Edison
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 232 ~
Member Since: March 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 22 2010
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 09 2009 : 5:54:23 PM
|
| Nope. Just one transformer. I'm stumped
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3448 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: March 11 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 09 2009 : 9:53:02 PM
|
What power pack are you using, Cheez? I have an old Autopulse, and at about 1/2 throttle and below the regulator circuit in it will step up the voltage when another load is added (i.e. an extra loco) enough that the running loco will speed up a bit as you've noticed.
It's just overcompensation on the part of the regulator, which was probably necessary when older DC motors were real current hogs. It will be more noticeable when running newer locos (or older locos repowered) with efficient can motors.
The Tyco Depot
Edited by - NickelPlate759 on November 09 2009 9:53:57 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3927 ~
Member Since: June 20 2007 ~
Last Visit: November 19 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 09 2009 : 9:59:40 PM
|
I'm using a Railpower 1370 for that track. It's only a year or two old.
That makes sense actually. I've noticed it on my Rivarossis and Athearns...not so much on the old Red Box F7s though.
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3448 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: March 11 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
