Home made point switches

[Neil Robinson]

The diodes are usually 1N4xxx series such as a 1N4004, Rapid's code 47-3136 http://www.rapidonline.com/sku/Elec...-rectifier-diodes-1N4000-series/66257/47-3136 < Link To http://www.rapidonline.co...0-series/66257/47-3136

I would use any between 1N4001 and 1N4007 with or without an A or S suffix (1N4004A)

 

[ntpntpntp]

...Nowadays I prefer to use miniature push-buttons (where the studs are) rather than stud & probe...

To illustrate my point (no pun intended!), here's the main panel for my analogue DC operated N gauge exhibition layout. This was made in 1996 and is still going strong. Sub-miniature push buttons for point control, groups of 3 black interlocking "radio buttons" for switching each section of track between one of 3 different controllers, and miniature toggle switches for the signals with with LED indication of signal aspects. It's about a yard long.

All that lot uses 4x 37-way connectors between the panel and the baseboards - rather more than DCC would require!

Oh, and the little panel in the earlier photos (made last year) used the same red Halfords pin-stripe tape reel I bought 14 years ago for the N gauge panel! I find the pin-stripe tape much easier than masking and painting the track diagram, and once on it stays on!

 

[RoshamboUK]

Hey guys,

Been away for a while (about 9 months!) but back for a few weeks so got the pieces together to start having a go at building a slightly cheaper home made switch box for my points. Here is the progress so far:

Putting together the diodes

A little testing to make sure what I am doing was going to work

Starting to come together, going to be lots of wire stripping on this project!

 

[ntpntpntp]

Looking good. I see you got hold of some of those connector blocks we were discussing on the other thread! In your case it's very useful that they have panel-mounting holes. If it were me I'd probably fit the female half to the panel rather than the male because they're an output from the panel. Doesn't really matter here, but for me it's force of habit that I always try and have the "live" half of a plug/socket as the shielded female side just as you would if it were mains voltage.

I like the look of your rocker switches. Must admit I tend to go for round switches simply because it's easier to drill round holes The "radio button" switches I used in my panel (as per the photo near the top of this page) can also be fitted with rectangular buttons: I used the rectangular buttons on my previous layout back in the late 1980's and I remember it wasn't fun filing out all the holes!

 

[RoshamboUK]

Yeah the connectors are pretty good i think, very good point about having the female connectors on the live side... for some reason it didn't even cross my mind. Think I will change those over actually.
Yeah i really like the look of those rocker switches so I dont mind putting in a little extra time to cut the holes out. I'm looking forard to seeing the finished product... and some sunny days to test it

 

[Brixham]

If you're going down the 'electric pencil' route, I've used a quarter inch jack plug, as used on domestic hifi etc ( not the 3.5mm type used in personal mp3 players )
It's a bit chunkier than the Peco? offering, so is a bit easier to grab, and is available in straight or 90 degree versions. Connect the operating wire to the tip, I've found that extra flexible wire for test leads is best, but any multistrand 16/02 or similar should do.
Also, instead of letting the plug just dangle when not in use, fit a headphone socket to your panel as a convenient parking place for the plug.

Malcolm

 

[RoshamboUK]

Well it has taken a little while but it's finally all put together and the electronics have been tested and all switches are working nicely. Was a fun project and just wanted to say thanks again to everyone who helped with suggestions and excellent knowledge.
Cheers

Oh and this is what is looked like in the end

 

[UKSGR]

That switch box looks great. Did it work out much cheaper?

Nick, where does that DCC module come from? Is it a MERG product?

 

[ntpntpntp]

Nick, where does that DCC module come from? Is it a MERG product?

Hi Paul, it's an NCE MiniPanel. Great bit of kit but only works with NCE DCC systems as it links directly to their bus. It appears that MERG do something similar for their DCC system, an Accessory Encoder. The MERG unit doesn't allow for the more complex programming of command sequences that the MiniPanel can handle. I'm only using a fraction of what the MP can do.

 

[RoshamboUK]

All in all was about £40 i think but i already had all the wood to hand. Was a fun project and now have enough switches i dont have to double up the points.