Toggle Switch Advice

FurkaSOCal

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Hello all,

I am planning on expanding my layout with a control panel including some toggle or rocker switches to divert power to either my station master for automatic running of the layout, or direct DC control from the speed control to the tracks. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with what types of toggle switches they prefer? This may be sort of a silly question but i'm still quite new to the hobby and as a millennial these thing's aren't as intuitive to me as smartphones or Bluetooth devices!
 
Best advice, to start with, for anything more complicated than the simple on/off switch, always try to use switches that have a 'centre off' position.
Google it. Come to terms with 'pole' and 'throw'. Get to know about the Double Pole, Double Throw (DPDT) Centre Off switch.... this will be your friend.
Versitile, it can be used for feeding power from two sources, one at a time, and can be 'off' to isolate the track. Same switch type can also be wired differently to give you a reversing function, handy if you have a 'return loop' in your trackwork layout.
 
Wot Gav says! :nod::nod::nod:

Google DPDT centre-off switch.. Get a nice big one. Easy to see, and will cope with the current you may wish to put through it. :nerd:
 
Check the current rating of any toggle switch you consider using. They usually have a lower DC rating (if any) than an AC rating. If you only operate the switch when there isn't any current flowing this is then of lesser importance.
 
This is a UK supplier of course, but just an example of what sort of thing to look for nearer to you....

SCI R13-29E High Current DPDT Centre Off Toggle

Nice big DPDT toggle, very positive action, high current rating (way more than you will ever need) - and easy to connect, either with push-on spade terminals or soldering directly to the tabs.
Makes a very satisfying "clunk" when operated! ;)

Jon.
 
The better switches have a "self wiping" contact system... the contacts that just touch aren't as reliable...

A little harder to see, but you see the moving part gives the wiping motion... notice this one is also waterproof via the O rings.

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Hello all,

I am planning on expanding my layout with a control panel including some toggle or rocker switches to divert power to either my station master for automatic running of the layout, or direct DC control from the speed control to the tracks. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with what types of toggle switches they prefer? This may be sort of a silly question but i'm still quite new to the hobby and as a millennial these thing's aren't as intuitive to me as smartphones or Bluetooth devices!
Depending on the application I used toggle switches of various types
 

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I prefer to use a center off toggle to insure no contact when toggling.
Also make sure you do not get a make before break switch!! Not real common but they do exist.
 
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