Atlas RC Turnouts on a very small layout, worth the extra $ ?
Have fun with your trains
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I think I'd go with putting the RC machines on the interior turnouts, to begin with. This will give you an opportunity to evaluate them.
My guess is, though, that you will find a "preferred" spot to sit or stand while you run trains, and you'll eventually add RC machines to the turnouts that can't be reached from there.
It's a matter of preference. I've got switch machines on all of my turnouts, even though a lot of them are right up in front of me. Other members here will tell you exactly the opposite, that they prefer all manual turnouts.
It's pretty easy to put an Atlas switch motor on an Atlas turnout, so retrofitting vs. initial installation should not be a concern.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Looks like you will be purchasing 5 new turnouts. If you use code 100 snap switches the additional cost for RC is about $5 per turnout.The machines for your two existing manual turnouts are about $8 apiece. As already stated, the RC machines are an easy install after the fact, so going manual at this point doesn't lock you in. Personel preference would be a key consideration.
Thanks guys, what about reliability? Do these switch motors have a good track record or will they burn out rather quickly?
vsmith Thanks guys, what about reliability? Do these switch motors have a good track record or will they burn out rather quickly?
I have some from the 1950s that still work. No, they were not in continuous service all that time, but they have been for the last 10 years.
Get a capacitive discharge circuit if you're getting twin-coil machines like Atlas or Peco. The biggest danger to these machines is burnout when a toggle sticks in the ON position. The CD circuit will prevent that, in addition to its primary job of giving you a bigger jolt to throw the points.
Other than those that I burned out in the 1960s, I've never had one just plain fail.
NCE makes capacitive discharge DCC unit that is easy to set up and works great.
I have one of these powering a double crossover. It throws all four switches at the same time. I did increase the capacitance on the unit though. It is an easy no solder job. The instructions show you how.
https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200526409-Snap-IT-for-Atlas-Peco-Bachmann-EZ-or-other-Twin-Coil-Switch-Machines
They also make one with four separate outputs too.
https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201689279-Q-Snap-For-Atlas-Peco-Bachmann-EZ-Or-Other-Twin-Coil-Switch-Machines