Large Scale Central

Reed Switches

Electronics
#1

Ok i need reed switches for a sound system install. What kind do I need and where can I gettum?

#2

There used to be a train store in Wilmington DE that sold them. Unfortunately they went out of business, but these are the ones I bought there. It says HO, but they still work on larger scales.

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=32-058-05&Category_Code=3_1&Product_Count=1

I have them installed on the K and one of the 4-6-0’s.

#3

They also have quite a few on eBay.
8 reed switches (no magnets) for $5.00, free shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Reed-Switch10110-Glass-N-O-Low-voltage-current-8pcs-/260828584122?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1913014263744429145
Just one of many sellers.
Ralph

#4

Phoenix sells their reeds separately.
PN 6020-02 $2.10 ea.

http://www.phoenixsound.com/pdf/catalog.pdf

#5

Aren’t there different types, end-activation, side-activation, etc?

#6

I believe so, Bob.
The Phx are mostly end activation. (Although you can activate them with a stronger magnet from the side towards the end.)

#7

The Miniatronics switches are the ones I use. The magnets shown in Ken’s link look to be around 1/2" round. They come in different sizes. The ones I buy from Caboose Hobbies come with 1/2" x 1/16" rectangular-shaped ones. I went on-line to look for a source of 1/8" round rare-earth magnets. They’ll run you anywhere from $0.30 - $0.60 per depending on where you shop, maybe even less. (I forgot how much I paid for my package of 50, but it wasn’t much.)

One thing to watch out for with the miniatronics switchs–they’re small glass tubes, so you have to be a bit careful when handling them. If you’re going to bend the wires, hold the base of the wire with a pair of pliers so not to break the glass.

Later,

K

#8

Kevin Strong said:
One thing to watch out for with the miniatronics switchs–they’re small glass tubes, so you have to be a bit careful when handling them. If you’re going to bend the wires, hold the base of the wire with a pair of pliers so not to break the glass. Later, K

I usually glue it first to a piece of styrene before I mess with the wiring. I’ve had them break trying to bend the wires, they are fragile.

(http://rgsgardenrailroad.com/reedswitch.jpg)

#9

I think thosre the ones that Ive been using, I iknow all about fragile…ask me why i need more of them!