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….........................--- SPDT Slide Switch Info ---

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To use or not use an addition SPDT slide switch?

When you mount the servo under the turnout you will have two options. Using Option #1 the body of the servo will face towards the frog under the turnout with the servo arm swinging at 90 degrees perpendicular to the track direction. It needs to be like that to move the throwbar side to side. In option #2 the servo is rotated 180 degrees so the body of the servo is pointed away from the turnout. If something is near the servo location, say an upright support, you might need to use only one of the options to clear the obstacle.

For one option the servo swings one way to throw the points when you throw the toggle switch on the control panel. For the second option the servo has to swing the opposite way when the toggle switch is thrown to throw the points the correct direction. You could just throw the toggle switch whichever way is needed but then the LED lights on the control panel wouldn't match with what is going on with the route that has been activated. Also the toggle switch arm would be out of whack with the diagram on the control panel.

If you know for sure what is going to happen you could move the yellow servo cable wire (shown above) to one end of the DPDT slide switch or the other as shown above (only one end or the other at a time). If you add the SPDT switch below when you throw the slide switch that is in effect what you are doing.

The beauty of the SPDT slide switch is if you find you need to reverse the throw/swing of the servo at any time you just flip the slide switch in the other direction. When you throw the toggle switch on the control panel the servo will throw in the opposite direction and the LED's will show the proper route.

I've chosen to use the slide switch as you can find them at Jameco (part #2258831) for .69 to .50 cents apiece depending on the quantity you buy. I use them in wiring the switch boxes and don't worry about how the servo will be mounted. When I install the servo under the switch if it is throwing the points the wrong way I just flip the slide switch in the other direction and problem fixed.

The SPDT slide switch shown above is 50 cents to a dollar, depending on where you buy it, it can make life simpler for you.

To use the SPDT slide switch solder it to the DPDT switch as shown above. Then solder the control wire that goes to the servo controller (usually yellow or orange) to the center post on the SPDT switch. That is all there is to it. If the turnout is throwing the wrong way then toggle the switch to the other position.

It is your layout and your choice ;-),

Sumner

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