Someone told the president of the club I am a member that you can use a system of "air switches" to control the switches on a layout. If there is such a system where can I find out more info?????
That was mentioned in another post several weeks ago and gave the URL for the Company. I checked it out and was pleased with what I saw. I wish I could remember the name of the company. Like Watash, my brain cells seem to be deterorating with age. Maybe somebody remember it
Well, I guess I will go to that URL and D/L all the info and see what happens. ANY COMMENTS ON THE AIR SWITCHES??? Thanks for the help, Carl [ 02. October 2002, 15:25: Message edited by: squirrelrun ]
Hi, A few weeks back I asked for any and all information fellow modelers would have on the Del-Aire pneumatic switch controls. Although I did receive some feedback. I would still like to hear from anyone who actually uses this type of system. I am also interested in finding out if there are any dealers in Canada or is the company really easy to deal with. Once again any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ron
Hi Carl, Could you please find out if they take VISA. I will be waiting to see how you make out. Thanks Ron
Ron: First my ignorance for not welcoming you to Trainboard. Yes, I did call 11:30 am my time and spoke to Gregg. I explained I only wanted something to try in the line of switching. OK he says and proceeds to tell all about the product. Very interesting. Regognition in November 2001 MR. I odrered what he suggested and paid with a VISA. Hope we can get something out of this, and hope he ships as he says. Will let you know. After the conversation and ordering were finished I asked him how long he had been with the Company. He simply stated, "I bought it 10 years ago". So I guess I was talking to the owner of the Company. Carl [ 15. October 2002, 15:47: Message edited by: squirrelrun ]
Ron, Welcome to the TrainBoard! Yes, the Del-Aire products are well made and work fine if you follow their instructions and use common sense. Do not over-pressure the system, use a pressure regulator and have a low pressure gauge so you can set up safely. That would be, to make sure the regulator is backed off so no air flows through the hose line before attaching any hose to the Del-Air actuator! Hold your thumb over the end of this hose, and turn on the little compressor. As the compressor is running, slowly turn the regulator knob until you feel some air flow, then watch the pressure gauge and increase the regulator until the pressure begins to get up to a couple of pounds per square inch (psi), then slip the hose onto the Del-Air tube. Flip the air valve and watch the turnout move as you increase the pressure. Only increase the air pressure enough to cause the switch (turnout) to throw from one side to the other. Stop and tighten the lock nut on the regulator knob stem to preserve this setting. It can be re-adjusted as needed when you add more switches (turnouts). Remember to turn the compressor off when you quit running the layout, as you would turn off the power supply. I would NOT try to operate the device on shop air pressure at all! That will introduce water vapor in the lines! Some people have no knowledge of pneumatics or hydraulics, so do not have a "feel" for what high pressure air can do to his layout! Example: I saw one fellow (who "knew it all", make a test on one of these that he had already mounted. When he hit the little valve to operate the turnout, the points pushed the track rail out of gauge. (It was poorly layed HO flex-track with no spikes.) Of course he was angry, and determined the thing was "no good", so I offered to buy the four he had, offering him $5.00 and walked home with them. They didn't work well on 185 psi shop line pressure, (of course) But I worked them all on 25 psi max for several years, until I sold the layout. The nice thing about these is the pressure holds the slip rail points tightly against the track rail, which prevents "picking points". I did add a couple of spikes on the outside just to be sure the track rails did stay in gauge over time. I didn't really need them. My track was spiked every 2". You will like it, just set it up correctly. Later on, you may wish to get a small tank to provide a reservoire and mount a pressure control switch that will shut the compressor off, so it doesn't run continously. You must still turn it off when you leave. If you have any problems, email Gregg, or me and we can help you get set up. (Or I'll buy them from you for a buck a piece!) [ 15. October 2002, 19:41: Message edited by: watash ]
Hi Carl & Watash, Thanks for the information from both of you. But, with information comes more questions. Does a person need to buy the pressure regulator from Del-Aire or can I purchase a regulator locally. And what type of compressor is suited for the Del-Aire products? I use PECO switches, do I need to do anything special to the switch machine? And Carl, did Greg give you any idea on how long it would take to ship. Thanks for your welcoming and information, I am really interested in using this product. Thanks again guys, Ron
Hi Ron, yes Peco "snap" turnouts will work with the Del-Aire system. For "having to" use the Del-Aire regulators, it is always recommended to use the company's suggested products, because if you should happen to have a problem, then you have the company to stand behind it for advice and assistance. But actually, the answer is no, because I had regulators on my big air compressor, and several old ball type selector valves. I also was familiar with restoring old Player Pianos, so had the choice of using pressure, or vacuum, and had some vacuum slide directional valves. All worked very well because Del-Aire's little cylinders are well made. Del-aire's electric valves work OK too. It depends upon whether you want to run a pressure line out to each turnout actuator, from a valve mounted in a remote location with a wire back to the control pannel, or just mount the valves right on the control pannel. Remember, you can operate the two cross-over turnouts by manifolding the air from one source, the springs can return the turnouts to rest for straight through travel. I have also used some small Bimba air cylinders for push and pull operation when the single stroke of the Del-Aire was not what I needed. I had to use a separate regulator for them, because they were a larger diameter, and that translates into more force, see? You may find a Marsh gauge, Bimba cylinder, Airco valves, etc, (professional industrial machinery products) are all about the same cost as the Del-Aire products. It depends upon how good of a Design Engineer you feel you are, as to whether you want to tackle a "kit-bashing" project, or just go with the necessary attachments provided and backed by Del-Aire and take the "Erector Set" approach. As for a compressor, you could probably get away with a small portable Sears 120v ac 50psi rated diaphram type connected by a hose to one of those 10 gal air tanks they use to air up your tire out on the highway. You can even use a spare tire for one evening's running, then air it back up again the next day. May I suggest that should you decide to get a Sears product, that you make them actually run it for you at the store and put a pressure gage on it to SHOW YOU it will actually pump all the way up to at least 45 Pounds per square inch, BEFORE you walk out or pay for it. Sears no longer stands behind electrical products they sell down here, including drills, Dremel type grinders, saws and the like. They will still replace defective non-powered hand tools only, (so far). I already had a big Cooper-Haulsfield for shop air, so only experimented with the tire, and put-put compressors from Sears. (The third one did work.)
Ron, Watash: I have a very large shop compressor with various outlets around the property. I use one of these for my airbrush with a separator and reduction.. Watash, what do you think??? I am still new at this one and know nothing. This type of switching will be an enlightening experiment. Thanks for your info. Carl
Should be no problem for you Carl. Because you can operate your air brush on the system, you could also add an outlet with a gage and regulator to set up for these turnout controllers for use at will. (That is what I did, but I also added a valve to shut off each outlet because I happened to have the ball valves to do it.) It would be cost prohibitave for me now that I have retired.
Hi Watash, Carl: Thanks for all the info, it looks to me that if you have a small compressor and some know-how you should be OK. I hope to purchase a Porter-Cable pancake style compressor for my shop and I think I should be able to use it on the railroad for airbrushing and turnout control (Del-Aire). I guess that all I need to do is decide if I want to part with my money, the Canadian dollar isn't overly strong and my price is about 1.5 times your prices. You guys wouldn't have any ideas on how I can stretch my dollars... Thanks again gents, Ron
Carl, Maybe someone who lives close to the border near you, could purchase one here, then mail it to you there? I am not sure what the postage would be to ship it, but it might figure out to save some money if they live close to you by distance. I know it was done for a birthday. A missionary there, sent money here, and the Preacher here got the present, and sent it to him. It was wrapped in birthday paper, then wrapped for mailing. The idea was to get it there as a surprise for his wife. There was no problem. I don't think it is illegal, or they certainly wouldn't have done it. I live in Fort Worth, Texas, and would do it for you, but I would guess the postage from here to you plus the initial cost might run it up over what you would have to pay there anyway. I don't know. Email me and I'll give you my zip and you can check it out if you want. [ 17. October 2002, 01:57: Message edited by: watash ]
Cheaper ways. 1/ e-Bay? 2/ From what I've heard these devices need very little air volume to work, provided the pipework is airtight. One solution I've seen is a large fizzy drink bottle modified as a receiver and charged to about 30 psi. This was enough to cover several hours operation. Yes, there are some interesting safety implications, but a spare tyre should have more volume and last longer. To recharge it, nowadays you can get small electric compressors for car tyres for little more than a foot pump costs.
Hi Guys, What kind of noise do these machines make when you operate the toggle? Also, does anyone know of a Canadian distributer? Thanks, with knowledge comes questions, Ron
At the Del Aire website the link to the list of Canadian dealers doesn't work. I sent them an e-mail but haven't heard back yet. If I hear anything I will post it here. [ 20. October 2002, 00:13: Message edited by: Robin Matthysen ]
Pst. pst. very quiet. Can't hear it if a train is running. Remember, they have a 3 pound return spring. Try to orient the cylinder to hold the turnout points to close in the most used position when the air is "off". You only need pressure to move against that spring.
