Air operated switches

[Rex in Pinetop]

Does anyone have any experience with air operation of switches?  Who supplies them?  Do they work on LGB points?  What kind of controls are needed to operate them?  Can the controls be remote controled from say an AirWire system?

I have some very old LGB switches with shot motors so I'm considering replacing the motors and running air lines instead of wires.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rex

[altterrain]

 COCRY makes the EZ Aire system -

http://www.cocry.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=EZAMC

I have heard good things but have never seen them in person.

-Brian 

[Rex in Pinetop]

Brian,

Thanks a million.  Would you believe E- Z Air also makes the landing gear retract control systems for my airplanes!  This is good because I already have the hand pump, gage, fittings, etc from my DC-3.  This info has me thinking of using an air tank and hand pump system like my airplanes rather than going the compressor route. 

Does anybody on the forum have any experience with E-Z Air for GRR switches?

Rex

 

[kstrong]

I've not installed them personally, but I have operated on a few railroads with pneumatic switch controls. They work pretty slick. The one I recall best used a 2-litre pop bottle as an air reservoir, with a regular tire stem installed in the cap to pressurize the bottle. If I recall, he just used a bicycle pump with a pressure gauge to charge the bottle. (I don't recall what he charged it to). Pretty simple and low-tech in that regard. Later, K

[GearDrivenSteam]

Just a note from an old off roader......Co2 will go MUCH farther than air, and is readily available most anywhere. When I say MUCH farther....I MEAN MUCH farther. Somethin sorta like this:

http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/539.html

 

[Jim Agnew]

Rex, I've been using the old Del-Aire system to throw LGB switches on my outside layout for over 8 years. I initially used a small portable storage tank from an auto supply store to provide the air, but have since changed to a small air compressor, that is also used to supply air for my air brush when needed. I control the air to the switches using air soleniods controlled by a stationary decoder. Jim

[g. gage]

Several members of the Sacrameto GRS are using Del-Are systems; they seem to work well. However I've never used them myself, I like walk around control and throw my switches manually.

Rob

[GearDrivenSteam]

That's how I will do mine. I'm just gonna fab throws up with coat hanger wire. Yup, I'm that cheap.

[lownote]

Greg Elmassian:

has some info on air operated switches on his site

look HERE
 

He's happy to share what he knows if you email him 

 

[Rex in Pinetop]

Thanks everyone for the info on air motors.  I've added a four switch kit to my Christmas wish list from EZ_Aire.  I'll be mounting the manifold somewhere on my porch this spring.  I'll update you all then.

Rex

[rpc7271]

I personally won't use them. I operate on another railroaders large layout that has them. You cannot go thru a turnout converging without having the turnout set correctly unlike the LGB turnout controls which are sprung and let you get thru the turnout even though it is set wrong. Also you cannot just reach down and flip the turnout to the otherside if you want to. The air locks the points in place until you change the air control for that turnout to change it. He also has a problem with the air hoses coming loose which reduces air pressure.

[Rex in Pinetop]

Tight springs and solid air pressure do make sure the points are in one position or the other and not in between.  I would think that would be a positive and not a negative.  I do have two switches that I do want the loco to set and reset each time they go thru so I plan of leaving the broke LGB switch controllers on those just to semi hold them in place.  I'll let you know how it works out.

Rex

[GearDrivenSteam]

Seems to me a switch "locked" in a position would be more prototypical, would it not? Won't the prototypes derail coming through a turnout from the back side if it's thrown the wrong way?