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Turntable rail joiners

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  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 2 posts
Turntable rail joiners
Posted by jnlret on Sunday, June 9, 2013 12:41 AM

I have a homemade turntable.  I'm looking for rail joiners that will transmit power to the turntable from powered rails from whatever direction the turntable is facing.

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Arizona (high country 7k ft) USA
  • 676 posts
Posted by Rex in Pinetop on Sunday, June 9, 2013 11:45 PM

I'm planning on using the standard slip joint rail joiners on my new turntable for alignment.  Those could pass power as well.  Let us know if you find something better.

Rex

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 25 posts
Posted by cape cod Todd on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 2:15 PM

 If you have rail joiners attached to the track how will you turn the table?

I have a lift out bridge where I took solid railclamps, not the split ones and grinded off the edges so the bridge track would rest on the clamp and still conduct electricity.   I don't know if that is what you are thinking about.

I know some guys have used one of those big headset jacks to transmit power to their tables. Get a socket and a plug and you will have a pivot point.  

Good luck

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Thursday, October 10, 2013 6:16 AM

I saw one a few years ago where the builder had gone to the hardware store and picked up a pair of contact brushes for an electric drill. The brushes were mounted under the rails on the turntable. He got a roll of “contact foil wiring” from a dollhouse supplier. A “dollhouse contact pin” is attached to each rail. The foil tape is attached to the wall of the turntable well. The foil tape is replaced during yearly maintenance of all the equipment.

Just a thought, sorry I did not take a photo of it.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, October 10, 2013 6:23 AM

cape cod Todd

 If you have rail joiners attached to the track how will you turn the table?

That would be my question as well.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Phippsburg, Maine
  • 141 posts
Posted by captain perry on Thursday, October 10, 2013 7:05 AM

You could have the rail joiners slide easily on the rail ends and manually slide them to hook em up when you are at the right place...kinda fiddly perhaps but it would work

Winnegance and Quebec Railway

Eric Schade Gen'l Manager

 

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