stan2004 posted:JTrains posted:...When I said “switch in” a DC boost, my thinking was literally to switch it in: my control panel is built with DPDTs with the second pole unused. So my thought was to wire up the second pole with a static DC boost of a couple of volts and when the switch was physically actuated to bridge that over into circuit. This would mechanically remove the sensing part of the equation and keep all of the complexity back at the switch panel. Your point that the DC source has to be beefy is a good one, as it would need to provide sufficient near-instantaneous power which itself could present challenge else it was all for naught. Sounds like a job for some filter supercaps!
But doesn't the switch itself "automatically" disable the solenoid when it successfully toggles position? In other words, the solenoid current stops flowing by itself irrespective of the controller. So if the boost is slaved to the controller switch, it seems the boost might still be present after the turnout changes position and the lamps would momentarily brighten until you release the controller switch. Unless you can exactly time the lever switch closure interval.
Oh, well heck - you're absolutely right. What I proposed succeeded in creating the inverse of the problem I was trying to solve! Which, thinking about it, is also the effect found in the PW transformer "whistle boost" circuit in that engines often speed up when the whistle is engaged on a non-motor-driven whistle.
