Craig and Trainman, all you need is a DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw) toggle switch. For this application, stay away from the mini or micro switches since, depending on the size of your layout and number of engines running, you may be pulling a few amps through the switch and the standard size switches can handle a greater amp load.
A DPDT switch has six terminals. Connect the center two to your track, one to each rail. Connect one set of the side terminals to the output of your DC power supply. Connect the other side to the output of your DCC controller. Now, depending to which side you flip the switch, you will either supply DC or DCC to your track. However, it is important that both the DC and DCC controllers be set to 0 before you switch power to the track just to be sure that everything is turned off in order to avoid shorts. If you you want to be a little more sure, they make DPDT switches with a CO (Center Off) position. In this position, the switch conducts no power to either side and your track is completely dead.
DC Track DCC
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Contacts
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Hope this helps.
P.S. One thing that just came to mind is that I have no idea how the decoders in DCC-ready turnouts react to straight DC current. So, if you have any of those turnouts you may want to do some research on the subject before you fry the decoders.
A DPDT switch has six terminals. Connect the center two to your track, one to each rail. Connect one set of the side terminals to the output of your DC power supply. Connect the other side to the output of your DCC controller. Now, depending to which side you flip the switch, you will either supply DC or DCC to your track. However, it is important that both the DC and DCC controllers be set to 0 before you switch power to the track just to be sure that everything is turned off in order to avoid shorts. If you you want to be a little more sure, they make DPDT switches with a CO (Center Off) position. In this position, the switch conducts no power to either side and your track is completely dead.
DC Track DCC
| | |
__ __ __
Contacts
__ __ __
Hope this helps.
P.S. One thing that just came to mind is that I have no idea how the decoders in DCC-ready turnouts react to straight DC current. So, if you have any of those turnouts you may want to do some research on the subject before you fry the decoders.