Turntable Track Wiring.

[fishplate]

[?]Would powering the turntable track be the same as a reverse loop?
In wiring, and switch(s) (DPDT) used. It makes sense to me that it would
be the same. If not, then I could use some help.[:I][:I] THANKS in advance.

[ereimer]

depends on the turntable . the atlas turntable has the reversing wiring built in and nothing else is required . other turntables you'll have to check the instructions (hopefully they mention wiring!) but i think you're right about it being the same as a reverse loop

[fishplate]

Thanks ereimer. The turntable is scratch-built thus, the question on the wiring.

[NZRMac]

my cheap Heljan turntable needed a full rebuild with a decent centre bearing, I used an old video player and nicked the bearing from the capstan drive. The only problem with that is the factory wiring for the TT track went thru the original bearing. So I used the new bearing as one feed and ran a piece of track round the outside bottom of the pit for the other feed. Just for anybody's interest!!

I used a auto reverser for the polarity (DCC) but a DPDT will do the same if your DC. But the turntable doesn't get reversed the yard/main line etc does.

Ken.

[fishplate]

I got a visual on that, Thanks. It's becoming clear as to what I must do.
I must say that I have never gotten any bad advice. Any advice I've received
has been put to good use![:D]

[selector]

The turntable I have is by Walthers. Two wires are meant to run up through the bridge pivot, which is hollow, and are soldered to two wipers that wipe two brass rings slip up on to the pivot. The wipers are copper and are bolted with two small machine screws to a styrene blade built into the motor housing. The brass rings, separated by a styrene washer, have two wires soldered to them, on the inside, and the wires slide up a groove in the pivot. This is probably confusing.

Anyway, the bridge is not necessarily aligned in polarity with the approaching track since either bridge end can be presented to that track. Neither of the sets of feeders, to track or to bridge track, change, so turn the bridge one way and it is okay. Otherwise, not. You'll need to remember which end is which, and use the DPDT to correct any error.

In my case, I just present the same end of the bridge all the time, and I wired the bridge, approaching track, and the roundhouse track the same polarity. The bridge recieves the loco, rotates less than 100 degrees to the stall tracks, and that way the loco can leave the bridge and run right into the house. The one time I forgot, and rotated the bridge more than a complete turn, try to guess what happened.

If you'd like more info, just holler.

[NZRMac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

The turntable I have is by Walthers. Two wires are meant to run up through the bridge pivot, which is hollow, and are soldered to two wipers that wipe two brass rings slip up on to the pivot. The wipers are copper and are bolted with two small machine screws to a styrene blade built into the motor housing. The brass rings, separated by a styrene washer, have two wires soldered to them, on the inside, and the wires slide up a groove in the pivot. This is probably confusing.

Anyway, the bridge is not necessarily aligned in polarity with the approaching track since either bridge end can be presented to that track. Neither of the sets of feeders, to track or to bridge track, change, so turn the bridge one way and it is okay. Otherwise, not. You'll need to remember which end is which, and use the DPDT to correct any error.

In my case, I just present the same end of the bridge all the time, and I wired the bridge, approaching track, and the roundhouse track the same polarity. The bridge recieves the loco, rotates less than 100 degrees to the stall tracks, and that way the loco can leave the bridge and run right into the house. The one time I forgot, and rotated the bridge more than a complete turn, try to guess what happened.

If you'd like more info, just holler.

That's a great idea Crandell but you can't turn a loco on it and come back on the mainline?
Do you have a DPDT as well?

My next build will be a motor to drive the darn thing. (read: which I'd bought a good one in the first place!!) [:D][:D]

Ken.[:D][:D]

[Sperandeo]

Hi "fishplate,"

Yes, a turntable is a turning track just like a wye or reverse loop. My book, "Easy Model Railroad Wiring" (Kalmbach), shows three ways to wire turntables, all of which are applicable to a scratchbuilt table. See chapter 4, pages 43 and 44.

Good luck,

Andy

[selector]

Ken, no I cannot turn a loco on it....yet. I intend to wire it with a DPDT for that purpose because I would like to be able to do that...kind of half of what they were meant to do anyway...right? As it is, I fiddled with it a long time to get it to work at all, so I kept it simple by using it only to convey the loco into a roundhouse bay. It does that job completely reliably, I hope it will turn the locos reliably once I make it rotate 180 deg.

Another project for this winter, along with completing the backdrop, and hopefully adding a yard-***-staging area.

[NZRMac]

Crandell your DCC aren't you?

Tony's auto reverser is the answer. Simple install and forget it's there.

Ken.

[fishplate]

Hey!!!!! THANKS every body, great useable info. Thanks Andy for the info.
The book is now part of my library. I'll be back with the end results. With
pictures, I hope.