 Joined: 30/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Noord-Holland, Diemen
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New member, so hope this is the right place to ask:
I would like to add basic up/down switches to a board with a diagram showing the turnout points on the layout so my daughter(s) can manually operate the turnouts. However I would also like to operate them digitally with a MS2 and later, a CS3.
I understand this can be done by using the m84 decoders, but how specifically do I wire in the manual switches - if someone could provide a comprehensive explanation and/or even better, a diagram to help the 3 of us would be extremely grateful. Thanks.
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 1 user liked this useful post by TashTrain
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 Joined: 19/09/2022(UTC) Posts: 459 Location: Kaarina
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Hi there and welcome to the forums. The M83 is the correct decoder for turnouts while the M84 is used to accessories that need constant power, like illumination. You will need to have a transformer to power the manual switches. Perhaps this one: https://www.maerklinshop...afety-transformer.-32-vaThe simplest schema is to connect the turnout motor's yellow wire to both, the M83 central terminal and to the yellow connector in the transformer. You need to split the yellow and blue wires from the turnout motor to two per wire. You then connect two of the blue wires to the red and green port of the M83 and that gives you digital control over the turnout. Now the remaining two blue wires will need to be connected to a manual switch. The switch should be spring loaded threeway switch. Blue wires got to the both sides of the switch, while center of the switch should go to the gray port in the transformer. This is the very basic setup, but there are things to consider: - Diodes. I think (other members, please correct me if I'm wrong) you need to restrict the power to flow only out from the transformer and the M83. So transformer can't power the M83 and vice versa. I believe this is crucial. Not sure if ground needs to be treated like this also, as ground is just ground... - Splitting the wires. You will need a way to split the gray wire from the transformer to go to the center of all the switches. - Same splitting thing for the yellow wire coming from the transformer. Please other, validate this as I may be wrong. All of this will be a hell of a wire mess.  BR, -Eino
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1 user liked this useful post by einotuominen
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 Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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Get the CS3 and you won't need the board, the up and down toggles, the M83 or M84, or a second transformer.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 30/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Noord-Holland, Diemen
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Originally Posted by: rhfil  Get the CS3 and you won't need the board, the up and down toggles, the M83 or M84, or a second transformer. The whole point of using a lighted board with rocker switches is to get the girls to follow the turnout diagram(s) and not hand them the (expensive CS3) controller. Not only that but similar pictures I have seen of this setup look really nice, especially if a LED/Light is lit next to the switch. As they get older, I'm sure we can add in all kinds of things and maybe even automation. But for now, I'd like a simple version.
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1 user liked this useful post by TashTrain
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 482 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: TashTrain
The whole point of using a lighted board with rocker switches is to get the girls to follow the turnout diagram(s) and not hand them the (expensive CS3) controller. Not only that but similar pictures I have seen of this setup look really nice, especially if a LED/Light is lit next to the switch.
I see the appeal of your more visual approach. Once you install k/m83 for digital control (two blue, one yellow wires), you only need a common ground pulse switch for blue wires, splitted as described earlier. Alternatively, a touchpad interface might offer the same visual appeal as a physical button layout for today's e-savvy young ones, requiring only digital setup. The cs3 can be touchscreen copied with vnc or with the much-improved 2.5.1 software interface. Note that you can have multiple active touchscreens connected to a single cs3 station. Ben |
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1 user liked this useful post by BenP
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,893 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Originally Posted by: TashTrain Originally Posted by: rhfil Get the CS3 and you won't need the board, the up and down toggles, the M83 or M84, or a second transformer. The whole point of using a lighted board with rocker switches is to get the girls to follow the turnout diagram(s) and not hand them the (expensive CS3) controller. Not only that but similar pictures I have seen of this setup look really nice, especially if a LED/Light is lit next to the switch. As they get older, I'm sure we can add in all kinds of things and maybe even automation. But for now, I'd like a simple version. yes, I get it, but a button is a button 🔘 wether or not it's a mechanical rocker or on a screen. They can watch the turnout moves and hear the clicks. Kids today are way ahead of us at their age. In a short time, they will be setting up events in the CS3 for automatic activation.
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Joined: 19/09/2022(UTC) Posts: 459 Location: Kaarina
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The great benefit of a rocker button is that you can feel it and keep your fingers on them. You can operate them without turning your eyes on them vs. The touch screen.
-Eino
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1 user liked this useful post by einotuominen
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 482 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: einotuominen The great benefit of a rocker button is that you can feel it and keep your fingers on them. You can operate them without turning your eyes on them vs. The touch screen.
-Eino You are right. A tactile interface is different experience. I enjoy running my analog Z layout with switch boxes and fondly recall 6021 with attached keyboard for control of early digital HO. Never much liked the look nor feel of cramped screen cs3, so I transitioned to PC interface. Ben |
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3 users liked this useful post by BenP
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Joined: 30/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Noord-Holland, Diemen
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Originally Posted by: BenP Originally Posted by: TashTrain
I see the appeal of your more visual approach. Once you install k/m83 for digital control (two blue, one yellow wires), you only need a common ground pulse switch for blue wires, splitted as described earlier.
Ben
Hi Ben, been busy building the layout and it will be a while before I get the CS3, so going to try the switch option. Can you expand on the above please, does this mean I don't need a separate transformer and can you better explain the wiring to the switch?. Thanks Derek
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