Is there a wiring diagram available that shows how to hook up LED signal lights to subject turnout? If so can I acquire a copy ? Thanks papa.
Dear papa1615,
Since N scale turnouts are power routing, you could just put a track joint insulator on the short rail of the divergent route and power your light between the two divergent rails of the turnout.
Downside is that for "DC block" operation, the light would only shine when there is power on the rails (i.e. any loco on the track would be moving).
A single "grain of wheat" (incandescent) bulb would be your simplest choice.
Since diodes allow current in only one direction, you would need 2 LEDs wired back-to-back to work in both loco directions (again, DC block operation).
short divergent rail -------WW----------->l-----------long divergent (aka "stock") rail
resistor l l
l---l<---l
2 LEDs
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Thinking further about it, the insulator's position and use would depend on a few things.
If your divergent route went to a single ended siding (ending in a track bumper), you wouldn't need an insulator at all.
Main Divergent
l /(Bumper)
l /
l /
l /
l /
l
l
Points
If your divergent route went to the divergent route of another turnout, you should put the insulator halfway between the two turnouts..
P
l
l
l\
l \ D
l \
l l
l l
l l
l n = insulator
l l
l l
l l
l /
l / D
l/
l
l
P
If your divergent route turnout was the start of a ladder, you would need an insulator in the middle of the ladder rungs, then only if it is a double ended ladder, i.e., turnouts on the other end to escape the yard.
l "n" = insulator
l
l\
l \
l \
l l\
l l n
l l \ curve track
l l l
l l l---- \___ Separate power switch to one rail of top rung (main route of top of ladder turnout)
l l l
l n l
l l l
l l l
l l l
l l / curve track
l l n
l l/
l /
l /
l/
l
l
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Hello Joe!
Do you ever check to see if you have any personal messages?
-Job
you may want to look at the atlas snap relay. it is a twin coil relay designed to work in parallel with your switch motors. the contacts can be used to operate signals and panel lights. in fact, the instruction sheet for the relay shows just mow to do that.