Please check out the modern bi-polar instant charge capacitor discharge circuit. It has ZERO time delay, requires only a small capacitor. a SPST ordinary toggle for Kato machines(DPDT for twin-coil machines), and there is no complicated electronics involved.
The circuit is fully described in the May issue of Mainline Modeler with a follow-up article which has even more details in the current issue (June).
Several of us have been using this circuit for more than 3 years with excellent results.
In my control panel, I use Radio Shack Push-Push SPDT switches (RS 275-1555) because I like push-buttons, but SPST toggles work just as well.
The articles show a physical layout where the push-buttons are finger-spaced for good operation and compact size. This layout requires no complicated PC boards. The parts mount directly on the switches and a terminal strip (RS 274-0680) which provides the means of connecting to the switch machines.
The circuit was conceived to operate UniTrack turnouts, but it works great with twin-coil machines as well.
Check it out, Once you've used this circuit, you'll never want to go back to ordinary circuits.
New BiPolar Capacitor Discharge Controller
Posted - 06/20/2005 : 20:41:04
