Well I'm working on designing my N Scale layout and I'm cutting cost by not using Tortoise switch machines. I've seen a few manual set ups offered commercially but I'd like to see your design. I have a few ways of operating the switch with out reaching across the layout and moving it manually. Knob, shaft ball bearing and spring and a rubber band something that simple. Then I have one that is a 1/4 turn with switches to control the frog and signals. What ya got? Show it off. Like I said I've seen a few on layout construction pics but never a detail of the mechanism itself.
On my small N-scale layout, I used small DPDT slide switches to throw the turnouts and switch frog polarity. These worked well enough, but I eventually scrapped this method and adopted the Tam Valley Depot system using R/C servos. I guess I just like electronic gadgets! - Jeff
Wow that might be as cheap as what I'm trying to design. I'm guessing they don't sell the Servo, I didn't see a price or any info on it. They are cheap if you go with a small one around 4.50 or so. So for around $100 you can control 8 turnouts w panel indication. The Tortoise method would be $132($16.50ea) to control 8 turnouts, panel indication would be an additional cost. Great alternative thanks so much for the info.
Dear rpm750, ( by the way... non "human" name? Duncan at TV have released a new "octopus": http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/octopusservodriver.html he sells also mini servos: http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/servosaccessories.html So ( as I noted you count by 8 ) : 1xOctopus = %32 8xServos = &4.50 x8 = 36 8 x optionals Fascia buttons&Leds= &2,50 x 8 = 20 Total = $88 This is MUCH less than the equivalent Tortoise. see here my application ( using the previous Octopus): http://valleybeforesilicon.blogspot.com/2011/01/modified-actuator-for-servo.html Enjoy
Duncan at Tam Valley sells the servos and accessories: http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/servosaccessories.html However, I found the same servos for lower cost on that well-known auction site. Below is how I implemented the servos on my layout. I hot-glued the servos to the underside of the layout and used a brass tube and a piece of music wire to actuate the turnouts. I use Atlas Code 55 turnouts. - Jeff
I'm also using the 'ol slide switch method, in N Scale I pre-make them, attached with Popsicle sticks..
I've made my own manual control. http://www.westportterminal.de/manualturnout.html Over the time I've had different ways. Now I use BluePoint. You can also use Bullfrog which is cheaper. Wolfgang
Explanation on my screen name. Way back when I got my floppy for 5 free hours from "America OnLine", remember those guys. I registered with my initials and they sent back rpm750 so I have stuck with that ever since. My Initials...Robert P Martin and I guess I was number 750 so there ya have it. So if you see rpm750 any where on the net that is most likely me. OK, thanks for your responses guys. This last post contains this link http://www.westportterminal.de/manualturnout.html to something close to what I was looking at designing and using. However the Tam Valley electronics package is what I might go with. I'm sure it is a bit more costly but not that much when all is said and done. Babbo_Enzo Well you forgot the position/calibration board for $12. $88+$12=$100 That board will do all the servos on the layout. Thanks for the additional info also. Thanks Bob aka rpm750 One last thing...... Wolfgang this is my daily driver. '64 Sunroof "Geek"
Well Bob, about the Octopus, remember he have not a DCC decoder on board. The Quad have it. And, if you're able to solder LEDs on a PCB, the Fascia controllers are available in Kit, just to spare the $.50 cents per turnout for the calibration card (you need only one for all turnouts on the layout). And... great picture of the car! I've buy one used when I come back in Italy in the 80'... and we spend so many happy years together (300.000 Km around Europe without any fault). Only "problem" was the color (light brown) ... all my good friends call it "the Scheiss-wagen"! Well .... Wolfgang understand! Cheers
I see a lot of stuff being done to electrify the frogs. I'm just curious about bothering with the hassle of frog wiring. On my now destroyed door panel layout. (I have no idea why I didn't just keep is as it was a nice layout for running) I never bothered with electrifying my frogs with Atlas c55. It never gave me any troubles either since the newer low prof locos have contacts for all the wheels. Did anyone actually have problems with not electrifying them? As to turnout control I used Dan Crowley's method which was very cheap and worked fine. http://www.telusplanet.net/public/crowley/ground_throws.htm But I see that in the initial post the requirement is that it have a long reach so these aren't what you are looking for. who was the guy that used model airplane control wires? That looked really nice and would suit the OP's needs quite well.
LOL too funny! I've never had S#@t Wagen and really never seen one that was. 300,000 k is fantastic for an AirCooled Engine. I have put 18k on this one in the last year, its been on the road for that amount of time. I've had numerous Type 1s and I drive the crap out of them. This is my hobby that is slowing and railroading is heating up. I'm getting to old to stay out in the (Southern) heat and work on cars. Back to RRing, I keep going back and looking at the manual idea that Wolfgang has come up with, using the switch to not only hold the state of the turnout but also to switch any electrical components, frog power, signals or whatever. Brilliant idea! I'm not really interested in DCC control of the turnouts at least not with this layout. I might in-cooperate that in the next one. Bob
Hi, I have used http://www.modratec.com/wit.php wire in tube products for throw switches, the levers to throw in the yards and just a wire in flexible tube for the other turnouts. I use the "point-wit" underneath the peco turnouts. I can post pictures later on if anyone is interested. Cheers
