Power Atlas Snap-Swicthes with track power?

[KB02]

I have a section of track with a bunch of Atlas Snap-Switches (Time saver layout that I was given that I incorporated into my layout). I've just been switching the turnout manually, but have a hand full of SPDT switches I've been thinking of wiring up. Any reason I couldn't just use track power for the switches?

[KB02]

wow... over 1000 views and no replies. Time for experimentation.

This is my current switching area:


This whole section of my layout was given to me by a plumber who was doing some work in our house. I'm not the type to throw away something like this (and neither was he, apparently). All the Atlas switches are wired in series for power. I took the power lead and simply hooked it up to the track to try it out.

Result: Yes. Yes, you can run Atlas Snap Switches with track power. 

Now, in all honesty, these switches are crap and the second one I threw jammed and caused a short. Once that cleared, I cycled through all of them multiple times and even held the buttons down for a few seconds just to recreate the short and everything worked fine. I plan to build a much better control panel with far better switches in the future, but if anyone is wondering if it can be done, I would say it looks like it can.

Now I am definitely going to have to get a second power unit for my layout.   

[Espeelark]

Howdy KB02!
Glad you were able to kanoodle your way through your question to a resolution!
I speculate the reason you haven’t received any other responses is because this forum focuses on RailPro-specific topics and yours is more of a generic model railroad electrical question. It would probably be better served, with more responses, on some other general purpose model RR forum, such as MRH.
Regards,

[LVRR1856]

I think there was a subject like this recently that I remember answering.

Railpro power puts out 14.7 v (dc), so it is on the high side. But as you stated - seems to work.
You could also power it with an old Tyco or other standard DC xfmr from past train sets if you have any.(?) - and dial the voltage back to 11 or 12v for a lower output, plus not taking anything away from the rail power system, if it happens to short again, may run the risk of messing up a module, or other RP equipment since it's all connected from track ... just a thought.

[gregeusa]

or put a diode "dropper" on the input to the switch motors if concerned... .7 volts per diode...

Greg