Track switch lgb

BobbyM

BobbyM

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Help needed. I am just experimenting with my first track switch and trying to get it to operate a set of signals.
But all I get is a brief buzz from the signal solenoid. What am I doing wrong?
I’m powering the signal motor via the track.
Image attached.
thanks .
 

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Is your track analogue or DCC?

But it would appear you have connected via a reed-switch. - I assume you want a loco to operate this switch, and hence the signal?

The way it appears to be connected, the loco will close the reed-switch, and operate the motor.. - Once this has operated, how is it supposed to be set-back the other way?
If it has already been switched, then the loco passing again, will try to power it in the same direction, and the motor will buzz.

PhilP.
 
Hi. It’s dcc Track.
So do the track switches/reed switches have to work in pairs. One goes 1 direction and the other one goes the other way?
but the switch I’ve tested hasn’t moved the motor once. It only makes it buzz. Even if I move it one way by hand, it won’t move it back again.
 
You can't drive a point motor off DCC track power/signal directly. You're likely to damage the motor. If you want to use DCC you need something called an accessory decoder which will take the power and signal from the DCC track, receive the signal to switch the point, and generate the appropriate burst of power to move the point motor one way then the other. You can get accessory decoders with one output or four outputs. Massoth make them, part number 8156101 for 4-way and 8156601 for the 1-way. Other manufacturers make them. If you want to trigger the points using reed switches I posted a thread few days ago showing how to do this, see here.
Advanced Use of Massoth Accessory Decoder - G Scale Central
There are other ways to switch points using motors not using DCC, but you will need to power the motor separately and use the reed switch to trip a relay to provide the burst of power the point motor needs. If you search for LGB EPL you should finds articles on here or the internet showing you what to do.
 
Yes EPL with an LGB Transformer such as a 50110 and a separate circuit for the motors and track sensors as shown will work fine. Otherwise as Dave says you will need an accessory decoder to make it all compatible with DCC.
 
So, on the basis that I am using reed switches, my choice boils down to running loads of wire back to the transformer or buying switch decoders, correct?
 
BobbyM said:
So, on the basis that I am using reed switches, my choice boils down to running loads of wire back to the transformer or buying switch decoders, correct?
Click to expand...

Simple terms, yes..

DCC track-power is both the supply, and the control to the loco's/decoders.. The decoder interprets the control signals, and if for that particular loco, then the command is acted upon.
For a point (turnout) you use an 'accessory decoder' and this then controls the point motor in your picture. - Or operates your signal, same motor.

You can use a reed switch to 'tell' the decoder to operate the point/signal, but will also need some way to reset/ change this back, at some point.
If you get clever, you could get the point to reset after a certain time?


For DC, you can derive the power-source locally from the track. - There is always power on a DCC track.
You would need some local electronics/intelligence, to act on the signal from the reed switch, and to reset the point/signal later. THis could be housed locally, in some-sort of line-side hut, if you wish?

PhilP.
 
BobbyM said:
So, on the basis that I am using reed switches, my choice boils down to running loads of wire back to the transformer or buying switch decoders, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes.

In terms of switch decoders, I find the Massoth one-motor version the best for outdoors as it is weatherproofed, but the pins for triggering it with reed switches require some tricky soldering. The 4-way one has screw connectors so much easier to install, but it is not weatherproof so needs to be housed in some lineside building or similar, and is more expensive unless you have 4 points conveniently close together. There is also the LGB 55025 55024 or 55525 55524 (latest version) one motor accessory decoders which are very easy to install and also weatherproof but don't have the facility for being driven by reed switch, and are more expensive than the Massoth.

Before you go down this road, have you considered using sprung points? The manual control supplied with LGB points enables you to set the point one way, but if a train comes in against the point setting it will simply push the moving rail across until the train has passed and then it will return to its original position. That may do what you want and it is a lot simpler and cheaper. The only downside is some very light trucks may not have enough weight to push the moving rail aside and then get derailed, but just having metal wheels is usually enough weight to avoid this.

EDITED TO CORRECT PART NUMBERS
 
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To use DC to control your switches, get the LGB 559 pdf manual on the web. Lots of info on the epl system for DC operation. Just remember some parts have changed such as the add-on DPDT switch is now a 12070, not 12030.
 
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