Ok I am no electronics guru so I am needing a little help here. I am looking to install my first tortoise switch on my layout. I am using digitrax and found that I will not be able to use stationary decoders since three out of four throttles are UT4's. So I will need toggle switches. Here is where the confusion starts. First I need some clarification on what the differences are on spdt and dtdp switches. I know what the initials stand for but not what they mean. Single pole double throw and double throw double pole. From here it turns Greek to me. Reading the instructions it looks like I can use a DC power transformer. Just not the accessory outputs on it. I will be installing around 24 of these by the time I am done and want to make them as user friendly as I can. Thanks for the help in advance! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch is what you need to throw the tortoise machines. The DPDT has six terminals or lugs on them. There are two types of DPDT's. One is a two position switch- on/on, the other is a three position center off switch -on/off/on. The on/on type is what you will need. The center two lugs are connected to the switch machine control terminals. The two upper or lower lugs get the +/- DC power from whatever power source you use. Then you have to connect the other two lugs to the lugs that have the power connections by making a cross X connection. This cross connection will reverse the power to the machine as the tortoise machines are stall machines that are constantly powered. I would hesitate using a powerpack for the tortoise machines. the pack may not put out enough power to power all of the machines you plan to have .
Thanks for the reply. What type of Power source would you recommend? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
I probably would try to find a wall wart power supply that puts out 12 volts DC at around three amps. Look at allelectronics.com for it. Or you may use a laptop computer power supply if you have an extra one. They are around 18 volts DC and a couple of amps.
I installed about 24 Tortoises on my layout but also included 12 Wabbits so that I can use DCC to control them. I included SPDT Center Off switches to 'manually' control the switches. If you go this route, I can post my wiring diagrams
Our club uses those. We used a 12 vdc power supply but reduced it to 9 vdc for more realistic point movement. We used DPDT switches that remain in either position when pressed. The Tortoise is designed to keep the points firmly in position because the voltage can be left on. The motors draw very low current. They draw about 15 ma if I remember correctly. You can put a bi-color green/red LED in series with one lead to indicate route. Our club did that. The Tortoise has a lot of gear reduction so they do remain in position even if the switch does not stay closed. http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/INS/800-6000ins.pdf Rich
I use center-off DPDT toggles so I can turn the power off to my Tortoise if I need to do that, such as if I need to work on my turnout's throwbar or switch...it's better for me to have the control wire from the Tortoise centered rather than over to one side or the other. Also, when you install your DPDT toggles for your mainline, it's a good idea to make them so that when the toggle is tilted LEFT, the turnout is aligned to NORMAL. Normal operating procedure is for all turnouts to be returned to NORMAL after the train has passed or the switching maneuver is finished. Guest operators (and yourself) will find it much easier to properly align your trackage to NORMAL if all you have to do is make sure your toggles are tilted to the LEFT. Just for giggles, here's a photo of Tortoises under my benchwork: Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
This may be of some use....when I installed Tortoises on my layout (32), I used a small brass tube ( just a hair larger than the throw wire) inserted through the throwbar of the turnout to help guide the tortoise wire through turnout. This made it easier to insall and alot less frustrating. I also found it better to center the throw of the tortoise and the turnout to ensure good throw in both directions. Good luck, Jim
Ok DPDT for the tortoises. I like the idea of on/on. Now I will have a narrow gauge that will be DC and I want on/off/on. Do these need to be DPDT as well? Also I have a sound chip that takes a 9 v battery. I want to convert this using a on/off toggle to DC too. DPDT here or SPDT? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
If you are using tortoise's on the other narrow gauge layout you will still need DPDT switches to throw them too. The sound card only needs an SPST (single pole single throw on/off) switch.
The narrow gauge will not have tortoises. It is just an end to end DC. I need the toggle switches to turn pier onto track. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
If you are running one train with one power pack, you shouldn't need any toggle switches at all. Can you give us more detail on what you are trying to do?
Yes pier means power, (auto correct). Lol On the HOn30 line I have one line with two switches, one at each end. Those have breaks with insulated joiners in the line so I can park a train on those without having runaway trains. I can then take park one train flip a toggle switch and run a different train. ( I have two different HOn30 trains with and on squiring a third). Well that's the idea any way. Small but busy mining operation. So each section or block will have a toggle to control power to the track. Also I am thinking on one small section of HO standard gauge track I will set up as an automated interchange so I will need a toggle switch for that. The wiring on that section is still planning stage until I can find all necessary parts I will need. Which include distribution points, electric eyes etc.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
OK, that makes sense. A SPDT switch will work. As an alternative, you could use the Caboose Industries ground throw with SPDT contacts, which would let you throw the turnout and route power at the same time. http://www.cabooseind.com/GroundThrows
For using Tortoises.. I suggest using an AC power supply, and the two diode arrangement (the diagram is included with each machine).. because this allows you to run just one common wire for all machines, and just one wire from each (SPDT) toggle.. vs .. two wires to every machine.. Edit: It also allows for simpler panel lights, and turnout dependent signaling..
