circuitron tortoise machines

[cwclark]

OK guys..i was on vacation last week and spent it working on the layout...I installed my first tortoise machines and they were the easiest UTTSW I've ever installed...After assembling the tortoise, I mounted them on a piece of 1/4 x 3" x 6" hardboard... I took the hardboard and drilled out the holes at the places indicated provided by the template that comes with the tortoise machine...I mounted the tortoise machine to the hardboard, put the machine where it fitted into the turnout throw bar between the points and drove two sheet rock screws into the sub roadbed and into the hardboard that held the tortoise...it made a nice tight fit and the machines work wonderfully every time...I ended up installing 16 machines complete with all the wiring to the DPDT switches and they all work like a good luck charm...I even wired one of them to control the reverse loop wiring with the DTDP switch provided within the tortoise to control the polarity to a wye...it's been a long time, but I've finally got some trains running...even broke out some rolling stock that have been in boxes for the past 12 years...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

Great job Chuck, I'm very envious of your installation. I have two Tortoise switch machines that I am scared to death of installing. I've read the instructions a few times and I'm not quite sure how to complete the install.

Guess I'll keep reading.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Thanks Chuck, I've been preaching to install them on a scrap piece of wood for some time. I'm glad it worked so well for you and you shared with others. To try and mount the Tortoise directly to the benchwork (especially under) can be a very frustrating job.

[cwclark]

it was easy because I mounted them from the top....just lined them up from the bottom and made sure they operated the turnout well then drilled a hole through the top of the layout instead of the bottom in two places and drove the sheet rock screws home...it wasn't like the atlas twin coil kind where you have to get under the layout and into all kinds of un -natural positions to make sure they line up perfectly to work...one hint ...be sure you use a longer piece of scrap plywood cross ways...it's real easy to run the screws into the tortoise machine itself...I went with a 6" x 3" piece....oh by the way...I replaced the .025 spring steel rod that was provided in the tortoise with a piece of .039 spring rod...it makes a big difference...the one's tortoise provides are a bit too flimsy...and also if you use the scrap plywood cut the rod about 1/2" longer than the one they provide...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

To start off with I have an open becnhwork so it's easy to be above the track and have my hand below. When I wanted to mount my switch machines, I decided to try silicone. I bought GOOP - HOUSEHOLD from Lowes. I put a good amount on and a week later when I wanted to take it off to change the size of the control wire (listen to that remark about using a bigger wire then the one furnished) I almost couldn't get it off. I now use just enought to make a "C" on the mounting surface. I was able to mount better then twelve of them in an hour. I use a card connector that I get from Loy's Toys along with the spacer to make the 10 place card connecter work on the 8 place connecter on the Tortoise. When I was told to do the mounting this way, I thought that it was to simple to work but I was pleasently suprised. I've had two out of 32 fall off the wood - just pick 'em up and put them back up there.

To Chuck:

Was your layout on the San Jack tour last Oct - Nov? I think that I got to see your layout but I'm not sure. I definately remember Clodfelts because we had bid on some stuff on eBay and I warned him about my getting ripped off by the same seller. I probably was driving a 45' motorcoach. I saw several layouts around the Crosby area, that's the reason I asked.

[cwclark]

Teffy....I just moved to Crosby in February and started my layout this last March and it is far (very far) from home tours yet...I do plan on having them one day and the layout is going to be big enough for a group to get together in operating sessions...The last time I did tours was in 89' during the NMRA national convention at the Astro Arena but that was a different layout in a different part of town...Chuck[:D]