Model Railroading > reverse loop device

is there a economical device to switch polarity in a DC track loop? Or should stay with the old DPDT sw.

MRC makes one for DC. Very simple and gets the job done.

https://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/ad520.htm


Corrected, sorry this one is only for DCC. MRC did make a DC only one that was the same design. I used one for a number of years. It appears MRC is no longer making it. If I can find the MRC Part number I will post it.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/21 07:02 by northridgeswitcher.

Old Tech was to connect to contacts on the switch motor, when the turnout is routed for the train to leave the contacts change and set up the return loop wiring. Same pattern as a DPDT would be wired. That style of switch motor might be hard to find these days though.

btw that would work with DCC as well.

$50 for that MRC thing is pretty exorbitant. 

Reverse Loop requires DPDT
An electronic turnout could be done with a SPDT and a momentary button. 
Is there such a thing  as 3PDT or 4PDT ? 

If a manual switch, it could be thrown by a mini, sideways, no-wire SPST slide switch and a piece of piano wire. I suppose a DPDT could be used to actuate reverse loop. .  

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Is there such a thing  as 3PDT or 4PDT ? 
Yes !

If you don't know how to wire it so it reverses automatically, I suppose you pay for the convenience? Don't some of us shell out a 50 for a freight car? 

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> $50 for that MRC thing is pretty exorbitant. 
>
If you don't know how to wire it so it reverses automatically, I suppose you pay for the conveniece. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/21 20:11 by wabash2800.

Ah, from the MRC page you linked: "Not for use of non-DCC layouts or with non-decoder equipped locomotives."  That only works with DCC.
Barry Draper

northridgeswitcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MRC makes one for DC. Very simple and gets the
> job done.
>
> https://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/ad520.htm
>
>
> Posted from Android

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> $50 for that MRC thing is pretty exorbitant. 
>
> Reverse Loop requires DPDT
> An electronic turnout could be done with a SPDT
> and a momentary button. 
> Is there such a thing  as 3PDT or 4PDT ? 
>
> If a manual switch, it could be thrown by a mini,
> sideways, no-wire SPST slide switch and a piece of
> piano wire. I suppose a DPDT could be used to
> actuate reverse loop. .  
If you dont like the price then dont buy it many do thats why they make them if you can make them for less then do it and sell them..

3PDT switch: https://www.allelectronics.com/item/mts-60/3pdt-on-on-mini-toggle-switch/1.html
4PDT switch: https://www.allelectronics.com/item/mts-70/4pdt-on-on-mini-toggle-switch/1.html