Rail King RealTrax 0-42 User manual

MTH
ELECTRIC TRAINS, INC.
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046-1532
WWW.MTH-RAILKING.COM
O-42
SWITCH
MTH RealTrax® switches add
flexibility and reliability to your O
Gauge RealTrax
layout. Designed to
provide years of
trouble free,
smooth operation,
RealTrax switches
are the perfect
additions to expand
®
your RailKing
empire.
®
®

Table of Contents
Introduction: 3
Switch Operating Instructions: 4
RealTrax O-42 Switch Components: 4
Screw Terminal Definition: 6
Remote Switch Wiring Instructions: 7
Basic Switch Operation: 7
Changing Switch Block Positions: 8
Accessory Operation From Switch Power Out: 9
Multiple Connections Under Screw Terminal 9
Multiple Switch Operating Instructions (Track Power): 9
Multiple Switch Operation Through One Remote Switch, 9
Track Power, Identical Throws:
Multiple Switch Operation Through One Remote Switch, 10
Track Power, Opposite Throws:
Auxiliary Powered Switch Operating Instructions: 10
Multiple Switch Operation Through Separate Remote Switches 11
Multiple Switch Operation Through One Remote Switch, 11
Auxiliary Power, Identical Throws
Multiple Switch Operation Through One Remote Switch, 12
Auxiliary Power, Opposite Throws
RealTrax O-42 Switches In Tubular Rail Layouts: 13
Multiple Train Operation Using Powered/Unpowered Sidings: 14
Troubleshooting 15
Service and Warranty Information 16
Operating Caution 16
How to Get Service Under The Terms of The Limited One Year Warranty16
Limited One Year Warranty 16
2

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains RealTrax O-42 Switch. As
with all RealTrax products, you will find the O-42 Switch easy to install into
your layout whether it be a permanent or temporary one. There are no
plastic and/or metal pins to lose or confuse. The setup is simple; with only
three connections of easy to attach connectors and the turn of a screw, your
RealTrax Switch will be up and running in no time!
The RealTrax O-42 Switch performs all of the functions of other switches,
but better. It has a double-microswitch driven non-derailing feature. Inside
the Switch Block (lantern housing) are four powerful but efficient and quiet
solenoid coils that drive the switch points back and forth at a voltage and
current draw as yet unexperienced in model railroading. The RealTrax
Switch operates on only 10Volts and 1.25Amps. It has a spring assisted
mechanism that ensures that the points always will be in the correct
position. If you change directions with a RealTrax Switch, you will not have
to worry about derailments or electrical short circuits.
The RealTrax Switch can be wired for operation via track power or auxiliary
power. Also, you will be able to operate several RealTrax Switches together
by following the appropriate illustrated diagram(s) in this manual. It can be
installed into a layout to have powered and unpowered sidings for multiple
train operation (see figure 14).
The RealTrax O-42 Switch is constructed of sturdy ABS plastic, solid
extruded rails and simple yet sturdy electronics. The design has been
streamlined with features like a Switch Block Cover that hides the opening
to the switch's underside and a Screw Terminal Cover that hides the
traditionally unsightly yet necessary wire connections. The design follows
other RealTrax items so that it blends into your layout, instead of standing
out. With its ruggedness and slim styling, the RealTrax O-42 Switch will
give you years of trouble-free operation on either your RealTrax or your
tubular rail O-Gauge model railroad.
3

1) Switch:
Consists of the roadbed, rails, points, frog, screw terminals, operating
circuitry and mechanisms.
2) Screw Terminal Cover:
Plastic cover that attaches to the roadbed and conceals the screw terminals.
3) Jumper:
Removable metal connector between 4th and 5th screw terminals. The
Jumper acts as a switch between track and auxiliary power.
4) Switch Block:
Consists of housing, solenoid coils and lantern. The Switch Block attaches
to either rectangular port at the converging end of the Switch. The Switch
Block may be attached to either side of the switch.
(See Figure 4)
5) Switch Block Cover:
Plastic cover that attaches to and conceals the unused Switch Block port.
6) Remote Switch:
Separate manual switch with momentary action. The Remote Switch can
operate your switch from anywhere on your layout.
RealTrax O-42 Switch Components:
RealTrax® O-42 Switch Operating Instructions:
4
6

5
1
2
3
4
5
Figure 1a:

Screw Terminal Definition
There are five Screw Terminals located under the Screw Terminal Cover on
the straight edge of every RealTrax Switch. The positions of the Screw
Terminals on a Right-Hand Switch mirror those on the Left-Hand Switch (see
figure 1b, below).
Figure 1b:
Straight AC Screw Terminal: This Screw Terminal is the input connection
of AC power that causes the points (rails that shift positions) to
align with the straight direction of travel. The Straight AC Screw
Terminal may be connected to either the GREEN wire of the
Remote Switch or an external AC power source.
Curved AC Screw Terminal: This Screw Terminal is the input connection of
AC power that causes the points (rails that shift positions) to align
with the curved direction of travel. The Curved AC Screw Terminal
may be connected to either the RED wire of the Remote Switch or
an external AC power source.
ACG (Common) Screw Terminal: This Screw Terminal is the electrical
ground connection for all power and Remote Switch inputs.
Auxiliary Power AC In Screw Terminal: This Screw Terminal is the input
connection of an outside power source's AC (powered) terminal.
(Note: the jumper between the Auxiliary Power AC In Screw
Terminal and the Track AC Out Screw Terminal must be removed
to operate your switch via auxiliary power).
Track AC Out Screw Terminal: This Screw Terminal is connected directly
to track power (center rail).
Curved AC Screw Termial
ACG (Common) Screw Terminal
Aux Power AC In Screw Terminal
Track AC Out Screw Terminal
Straight AC Screw Terminal
6

Remote Switch Wiring Instruction
You will have to wire the RealTrax O-42 Remote Control Switch to the
proper Screw Terminals. To do this, follow Illustration 2:
Figure 2:
(REMOTE SWITCH)
(SCREW TERMINAL
COVER)
!Connect the GREEN wire of the REMOTE SWITCH to the Straight AC
SCREW TERMINAL (found under the removable SCREW TERMINAL
COVER).
!Connect the RED wire of the REMOTE SWITCH to the Curved AC
SCREW TERMINAL.
!Connect the BLACK wire of the REMOTE SWITCH to the ACG
(Common) SCREW TERMINAL.
!The JUMPER between the fourth and fifth SCREW TERMINALS remains
in place.
Basic Switch Operation:
Now that your RealTrax Switch is wired,
you will be able to operate it via any of the
following methods: Figure 3:
(1) (2)
(3) (3)
!Remote Switch operation (1). Push the remote switch lever toward the
green light for ‘straight’ operation. Push the remote switch lever toward
the red light for ‘curved’ operation.
!Manual (lantern) operation (2). Simply turn the lantern on the Switch
Block to align the points in the desired direction.
!Automatic non-derail operation (3). If your consist enters the diverging
end of the switch, the points will automatically align to the correct
orientation (if necessary). 7

3b
3a 3c
Changing Switch Block Position:
Figure 4:
To change the position of the Switch Block, follow the steps below:
1) Remove the Switch Block by pulling it firmly out of the roadbed.
Remove the Switch Block Cover by sliding it down out of the roadbed.
2) Install the Switch Block into the other side by pushing it firmly into the
roadbed. Install the Switch Block Cover into the other side.
3) You will have to change the position of the Switch Block Lantern so that
the Green lenses align to the straight direction and the red lenses align
to the curved direction.
a) Hold the Switch Block Lantern between your thumb and forefinger.
Gently pull the Lantern out of its socket.
b) Rotate the Lantern 90 Degrees (one-quarter turn).
c) Press the Lantern back into the Switch Block. You will hear a "snap"
when it is in place.
1 2
8

ACG Track AC out
Accessory Operation from Switch Track AC Out Screw Terminal:
Figure 5:
Multiple switch operation through one Remote Switch (track power,
identical throws):
Figure 7:
Cut Insulation with
wire strippers Separate Insulation to reveal bare wire Wrap around screw
Primary Switch
Secondary Switch
To Remote
Switch
!Connect the ACG (Common) terminal of the accessory to the ACG
(Common) screw terminal of the Switch.
!Connect the AC (Powered) terminal of the accessory to the Track AC Out
screw terminal of the Switch.
!Connect Remote Switch as shown in Figure 2.
!Connect the STRAIGHT AC screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
STRAIGHT AC screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
!Connect the CURVED AC screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
CURVED AC screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
!Connect the ACG (Common) screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
ACG (Common) screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
RealTrax® O-42 Switch Multiple Switch Operation
9
Figure 6:
Making Multiple Connections Under One Screw Terminal
If you do not use female disconnect type connectors to make your wire
terminations for multiple connections, you are encouraged to reduce the
number of wires under each Screw Terminal by stripping a section in the
middle of a single wire (see figure 6, below):
(Note: MTH recommends that 18 gauge or thicker wire be used in wiring the RealTrax switch.)

Aux. ACG (Common)(Black)
Aux. AC Power In (Red)
Auxiliary power switch operation (to power switch from source other
than track power):
Figure 9:
Multiple switch operation through one Remote Switch (track power,
simultaneous opposite throws):
Figure 8:
Primary Switch
Secondary Switch
To Remote
Switch
To Remote
Switch
!Connect Remote Switch as shown in Figure 2.
!Connect the STRAIGHT AC screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
CURVED AC screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
!Connect the CURVED AC screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
STRAIGHT AC screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
!Connect the ACG (Common) screw terminal of the Primary Switch to the
ACG (Common) screw terminal of the Secondary Switch.
!Remove Jumper between Track AC Out terminal and Aux. Power AC In
terminals (Save the jumper for future use).
!Connect Remote Switch as shown in Figure 2.
!Connect Auxiliary Power AC to Auxiliary Power AC In screw terminal
!Connect Auxiliary Power ACG (Common) to ACG (Common) screw
terminal.
Auxiliary Powered Switch Operating Instructions
The RealTrax Switch can be powered from an auxiliary power source (either
another channel on your transformer or a separate transformer altogether).
Powering your Switch from auxiliary power will ensure that varying track
power does not affect the action of the switch. Also, if you operate at low
voltages or wish to operate many switches at once, auxiliary power operation
may be desirable.
10