Large Scale Central

Aristocraft Track/Battery Switch

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I’m converting an SD-45 over to onboard battery power with QSI decoder/sound board and G-Wire. Before I do the final installation… I was hooking everything up to make sure it works. I connected a Crest 21 volt battery to the cable next to the coupler to supply power. Everything seems to be working fine.

However… I noticed when the battery is connected as described above… and I move the Track/Battery slide switch from Battery to Track… I’m still getting Battery power. I thought this would disconnect all Battery power… so I could use it as an on-off switch.
I’m not going to use 2 rail power on the layout and plan on using just all battery power.

Is this wired wrong???
What is the purpose of this switch?

Thanks,
Russ

#2

Russ I could be wrong but I think the switch keeps power from going to the track when you are in batt mode. I’m not sure it will keep power from going to the motors when in track mode. I think I read some were that the perpose of this switch was to keep power from going to the track when using batt power to run the loco. So it may not cut power to the motor block from the batt at all.

You could replace that switch when you do your conversion on the SD and use a DPDT one and set it up so you can have on board pwoer or trailer car power as you were asking in your other post.

#3

All that happens when you go from battery to track is that you blow the fuse in the battery line. You do have a fuse, don’t you?

#4

The TRACK - BATTERY switch only disconnects the track power. The pigtails at the rear of the loco are always connected.

#5
TonyWalsham said:
The TRACK - BATTERY switch only disconnects the track power. The pigtails at the rear of the loco are always connected.
So I was right.
#6

Another thing to be aware of is that the Track/Battery switch only lifts one of the two wires, so battery voltage can leak out into the track in some situations. I had a battery go flat with the engine stopped, but my track powered sound car on the track. Somehow the battery current was was leaking through the switch and powering the idle sounds through the track.

If you have no battery, the switch can be used for a track power on/off switch.

#7

In general Geoff you are correct. But, be aware that the actual operation of the switch varies as well.
Some break only one side of the track others are wired back to front.

To coin a phrase, You pay your money and you takes your chances, with AC locos.

#8

All wiring conduit has smoke installed from the factory…It’s up too the operator to decide whether he/she wants too let that smoke out of that wire. Hope the recent visit with Mum was good Tony.
:wink:

#9

Thank you David. My Mum had a very pleasant 95th Birthday.
I am wending my way home via Tamworth where I am sorting out website issues with young Ben.
I will be back home on Monday night.

#10

Thanks for explaining what is going on with this switch.
I guess I will need to physically remove the track pick-up wiring to prevent any battery leakage to the track.
Russ

#11

Russ you could replace it with a DPDT switch and use that to pick between on board power or a power car. Should be a easy wire up job.