Has anyone experienced problems using Tortoise switch motors on these turnouts, with regard to apparent inadequate throw force? The new Unifrog turnouts don't have hinges on the switch rails, relying on enough grunt from whatever throws the switch to bend the rails. I have installed three of the #6 turnouts now, and find that my Tortoises aren't entirely happy.
I have removed the over-centre springs, of course, and ensured enough free travel is potentially available, but even with the fulcrum at its lowest point, I don't seem to get enough deflection, or force, of the actuator wire to convincingly close the turnout. I am fearful of something picking the points if I can't get a solid movement.
My Tortoises are mounted beneath 18mm ply sub-roadbed, with 3mm cork under the track.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks, Bob
Bob,
I have two #6 Unifrog turnouts and one Unifrog double slip on my layout. HO scale, 1/2" ply with 5mm cork. Tortoises work well. Springs must be removed from Pecos. Make sure the Peco throwbars work easily before you install Tortoises. I usually file down the cork below the throwbars a bit to ensure clearence. Make sure the holes in the subroad are large enough and properly aligned to allow full travel of the Tortoise wire. Replacing the Circuitron supplied wire with the next size up will also help if you think the Tortoise wire is bending too much.
Charlie - Northern Colorado
Are you using the wire that came with the Tortoise? When I installed my first Tortoise, someone suggested substituting music wire which comes in various thickness. I forget which size I used so maybe somebody can help there. The stiffer wire gives the Tortoise a bit more strength to move the throw bar. I've used it on Atlas, Peco, and Walthers/Shinora and have never had a problem getting the points to line up correctly once I got the Tortoise properly centered.
It's best to use a cutoff wheel rather than a wire cutter to trim the wire once in place. The music wire is harder than some wire cutters and will make a half moon indentation on them.
John-NYBW Are you using the wire that came with the Tortoise? When I installed my first Tortoise, someone suggested substituting music wire which comes in various thickness. I forget which size I used so maybe somebody can help there. The stiffer wire gives the Tortoise a bit more strength to move the throw bar.
Are you using the wire that came with the Tortoise? When I installed my first Tortoise, someone suggested substituting music wire which comes in various thickness. I forget which size I used so maybe somebody can help there. The stiffer wire gives the Tortoise a bit more strength to move the throw bar.
The wire provided by Circuitron for the Tortoise is 0.025" diameter.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hello Bob, I have 4 Unifrog turnouts operated with Tortoise switches. As folks have mentioned above, mine did not keep enough tension on the closing rails until I went to a thicker wire, somewhere around .040.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I know that the turnouts operated freely pre-Tortoising, and that the holes through the baseboard are correctly aligned and large enough.
I think I'll try some stiffer wire when I can lay hold of some and see what difference it makes.
Bob
FowlmereRR I think I'll try some stiffer wire when I can lay hold of some and see what difference it makes.
Thanks, Rich, but I'm in UK, so a bit of a long haul for me !! I've sourced some here in my LHS (well, it is 25 miles away but that's local for some folks). I'll have a play when I get a bit of time.
FowlmereRR Thanks, Rich, but I'm in UK, so a bit of a long haul for me !! I've sourced some here in my LHS (well, it is 25 miles away but that's local for some folks). I'll have a play when I get a bit of time.
My point though was that piano wire can be found in most hardware stores, not just at one's LHS.
I got my wire on Amazon. Since I have a Prime membership, I don't pay any additional shipping costs no matter how much I buy from them. The savings in gas more than pays for the annual membership fee.
I also use thicker wire on my switches. Before you do anything else, try moving the fulcrum up in small increments and see if that will give you enough power to move the points. With the fulcrum down that low, you are bending the wire more instead of moving anything.
Good Luck, Joe