railandsail No pics, mobilman ? I made my own CD unit for my older layout, and used a larger capacitor. I image you could find an inexpensive DCC controller (or remote wireless device) to discharge the capacitor??
No pics, mobilman ?
I made my own CD unit for my older layout, and used a larger capacitor. I image you could find an inexpensive DCC controller (or remote wireless device) to discharge the capacitor??
That's what the Snap-it is -- a DCC decoder that drives a single function (the CD circuit).
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Thanks Brian those look like good options too for the ones that are still available anyway. I don't need to have everything hooked up to DCC. To be honest I don't care if any of my turnouts are DCC controlled but I wouldn't mind it either.
Older info on a website search, but interesting summation of several types
Peco PL-10 & PL-10W
Three (3) new in original packaging Peco Lectrics Streamline and Setrack Motor (Switch Machine) for remote control of Turnouts. Note two are the PL-10 model and one is the High Performance PL-10W model. I originally paid $4.95 each for these in a large quantity. The current MSRP is $12.17 (weird but that is what I kept finding). The going price for one is around $9 each.
RIX Twin Coil Switch Machine Mounted on a RIX RAX Flat
I have a single setup. Details on these are on RIX's website though I have the paper info on both the switch machine and the mounting rack. There is a single SPDT contact on the unit. MSRP is $12.99 and the RAX goes for around $3.
Hallmark Models Twin Coil Switch Machines (2)
INVIS-A-MOUNT for Peco Switch Machines
New and still in original packaging. Works for both N an H gauge Peco Switch machines. I paid $1.65 for mine 11 years ago and can't find any information on these now.
Lemaco Switch Motor
Definitely used, but I'm guessing still functional. The only thing I could find online on these is new they run about $20.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Well I just bought a lot of N scale that someone was selling and it came with about 30 turnouts (manual and automatic) and an NCE Power Cab so I am going to try the servo method and see about linking those with the DCC if it's not too much work. Now i have to decide if I am going to try to clear some space in my spare room which is packed full at the moment, and try to build a smaller layout or just wait until we move eventually.
My current layout (2 levels) uses Atlas above the table machines and Caboose throws on those turnouts nearby and not on the mains. I have used under the layout Atlas machines on a previous layout, but not on this one.
The OP asked how to disguise them...... well, here is what I have done:
Using a wash of flat black and a bit of Testors "rust", I paint the shell, being careful not to get anything that would foul up the moving parts - internal and external.
On those machines against the back walls (relatively far away from good viewing), I would put a shrub/bush in front of them. For those that are nearby and in easy view, I would first give them the black/rust wash, and when dry, put a tiny piece of scotch tape over the solonoid hole - just enough to cover it.
Then I would paint the box with an Elmers white glue and water mix, and sprinkle on appropriate ground cover. Giving it a day to fully dry, I would remove the tape and usually "plant" some shrubs around and over the box - being careful to not hinder operation or to get snagged by passing trains.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Yup, it's 1.8 x 1.5". Quite a tiny thing.
The Snap-It does have provision for "localized" (pushbutton) control, but cannot throw more than one turnout as deliverd.
According to the manual, you can add a larger capacitor, and/or run it off DC, by connecting to the "+" and "G" pins (4 and 7) of the terminal block (watch your polarity though!)
Edit - scratch DC. That was changed on the current revision.
railandsail CD unit controlled by NCE DCC NCE Corporation Snap-It Switch Machine DCC Decoder -- For Single Twin Coil Type Machine Wonder if this unit is strong enough to throw 2, 3, or 4 Pecos at a time? On an older layout I had I ganged several turnouts 2,3 or 4 into a 'group' to be thrown all at once,...each discharge of the CD. The selection of each individual turnout, and its direction was determined by a toggle switch that was mounted on the control panel and feeding the turnouts in each group. Pretty economical setup,...and reliable at the time.
NCE Corporation
Wonder if this unit is strong enough to throw 2, 3, or 4 Pecos at a time?
On an older layout I had I ganged several turnouts 2,3 or 4 into a 'group' to be thrown all at once,...each discharge of the CD. The selection of each individual turnout, and its direction was determined by a toggle switch that was mounted on the control panel and feeding the turnouts in each group.
Pretty economical setup,...and reliable at the time.
Doubtful, that's a rather small capacitor for a CD supply - the whoole board is actually quite small, can;t tell from a picture with nothing near it, but it's a tiny circuit board. It's also a DCC stationary decoder, it's not for DC use. You would want something like the Circutron Snapper (and Peco also has a CD supply) for DC use.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
My old layout control panels
The traditional Atlas turnout controls are NO longer utilized. Several capacitor-discharge units now power the turnouts when a zone button is pushed. There are toggle switches placed at each turnout location on the track plan diagrams, and their ‘handles’ are oriented so as to indicate the direction in which the track turnout is thrown. So choose the train’s route, throw all the applicable toggles to the desired direction, and then press the ‘zone button’ to activate the turnout operation.
I had some better pics, but don't know where they are right now
At one time I had a ton of these,...new in boxes. But I think I sold them off
These would be just fine to power Peco turnouts with their internal springs in place,...strong enough correct ??
I had fine luck with the Atlas twin coils throwing Atlas turnouts, but they are not strong enough to throw the Pecos.
MisterBeasley Check out Miller Engineering for animated and illuminated signs.
Check out Miller Engineering for animated and illuminated signs.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
NeO6874 Yeah, 555s can be fun (though I haven't used one in forever). I just recently made a random-32led-selector module while I've been playing with the really tiny microcontrollers (2KiB program space). It's for a little thing I wanted to make the missus, but I bet it'd end up looking pretty good for turning on lights "at night" on a layout too...
Yeah, 555s can be fun (though I haven't used one in forever). I just recently made a random-32led-selector module while I've been playing with the really tiny microcontrollers (2KiB program space). It's for a little thing I wanted to make the missus, but I bet it'd end up looking pretty good for turning on lights "at night" on a layout too...
Yeah i want to do some cool lighted signs and billboards. They sell some already on ebay that have patterns built in. I want my layout to really have some character and life at night. I figure some digital lcd picture keychains would make nice digital billboards too and a drive on theatre screen.
NeO6874 hahah, yeah, my little one loves the Lionel set we put up for Christmas. Though, I don't have a layout myself (moves and the like... and the kiddo... have all kind of taken a lot of time). I really like finding the control systems -- they seem a lot more accessible now that they're based around arduinos rather than PIC controllers (although, I still hate the idea of "use an arduino" -- rubs me the wrong way to use a $5 part with so much available program space for a 5-6 KB program that a $1 bare chip could run...)
hahah, yeah, my little one loves the Lionel set we put up for Christmas. Though, I don't have a layout myself (moves and the like... and the kiddo... have all kind of taken a lot of time).
I really like finding the control systems -- they seem a lot more accessible now that they're based around arduinos rather than PIC controllers (although, I still hate the idea of "use an arduino" -- rubs me the wrong way to use a $5 part with so much available program space for a 5-6 KB program that a $1 bare chip could run...)
Yeah if an Adruino is overkill for the task and you can get away with a cheaper simpler method then why not. Like my emergency vehicles. I could use an adruino and actually make the lights appear to strobe and have patterns but I am not going that route. 555 timer chip if anything. My nano LED's already flash as they sit so I don't even really need the 555 chip.
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
NeO6874 hehehe, I've been picking Randy's brain too. And others in the past (but I've not seen them since I started posting here again a month or two ago. Hope it's more "fed up with computers / the forums" than otherwise... though I know a few have passed away )
hehehe, I've been picking Randy's brain too. And others in the past (but I've not seen them since I started posting here again a month or two ago. Hope it's more "fed up with computers / the forums" than otherwise... though I know a few have passed away )
Yeah definitely sad when the older gentlemen or anyone really in the hobby passes away. Hopefully many got their kids into it so it stays alive and well. My dad got me into it although he doesn't model anymore. I am always happy to see younger guys like myself (although I am not really that young anymore) into model railroading. There are a few I follow on YouTube. I have all daughters, my oldest has no interest but I am hoping I can get my middle child into it when she is a little older. Still just under 2 years old so needless to say I won't let her touch my N scale stuff yet or it will be reminiscent of a Godzilla movie.
tedtedderson rrinker Can't post a direct link, they were all published in an MR competitor. But this site has lots of Arduino projects and links to lots of people's work. The articles section has some links to Geoff's work. https://mrrwa.org/ --Randy Randy, I hope you're not leaving the hobby anytime soon. I'm in the process of tearing down my current layout due to a move. Current layout has peco switch machines and i think I'm tiring of the SNAP! noise. I'm interested in the servo/arduino combo for the next layout. I have coding experience with several languages but i bet I'll have questions as far as the wiring goes. While lurking in the forum I've found your knowledge invaluable. T e d
rrinker Can't post a direct link, they were all published in an MR competitor. But this site has lots of Arduino projects and links to lots of people's work. The articles section has some links to Geoff's work. https://mrrwa.org/ --Randy
Can't post a direct link, they were all published in an MR competitor. But this site has lots of Arduino projects and links to lots of people's work. The articles section has some links to Geoff's work.
https://mrrwa.org/
Randy,
I hope you're not leaving the hobby anytime soon. I'm in the process of tearing down my current layout due to a move. Current layout has peco switch machines and i think I'm tiring of the SNAP! noise. I'm interested in the servo/arduino combo for the next layout. I have coding experience with several languages but i bet I'll have questions as far as the wiring goes. While lurking in the forum I've found your knowledge invaluable.
T e d
MisterBeasley I have made scenic covers for many Code 100 Atlas turnouts. I first used some scrap foam to create some space on top of the machine, and then used plaster cloth over it, finally removing the scrap foam. The plaster cloth shell was then painted and covered with turf and ground foam. I have since moved away from Atlas machines, preferring Tortoises, but the covers work and I have no plans to replace them.
I have made scenic covers for many Code 100 Atlas turnouts. I first used some scrap foam to create some space on top of the machine, and then used plaster cloth over it, finally removing the scrap foam. The plaster cloth shell was then painted and covered with turf and ground foam.
I have since moved away from Atlas machines, preferring Tortoises, but the covers work and I have no plans to replace them.
I was thinking about that for certain spots as I have a number of atlas turnouts already but that method won't work for a large yard/tree.
I love the stuff you can do with servos and especially adruinos. Had no idea what an adruino was until Mel told me about his project. I want to have as much automation and animation as possible to give a sense of life and realism on my layout. Being back in the hobby after a long hiatus there were no adruinos when i left.
Well, I've been running trains since I was 2 years old, that's 50 years ago, so I doubt I will be leaving the hobby any time soon. I suppose when I do, it will be feet first. Hopefully not for many more years.
riogrande5761 Do they all have to be automated? I'm planning a layout and am thinking most of my yard turnouts are going to be within reach of my hands so why complicate things with lots of extra wiring and switch machines. To that end, I'm moving more to Peco or ME switches which have the built in spring so do not even need a manual or powered machine. Atlas also makes lower cost under the table machines you can use and cost less and get the job done. I have a few of those still. The only place I have ever used the above surface Atlas machines is in staging where I don't care about appearance.
Do they all have to be automated? I'm planning a layout and am thinking most of my yard turnouts are going to be within reach of my hands so why complicate things with lots of extra wiring and switch machines.
To that end, I'm moving more to Peco or ME switches which have the built in spring so do not even need a manual or powered machine.
Atlas also makes lower cost under the table machines you can use and cost less and get the job done. I have a few of those still.
The only place I have ever used the above surface Atlas machines is in staging where I don't care about appearance.
I agree with you Jim, I'm going to try and limit my need for automation.
I also have a significant number of those Tortoise machines that I do NOT intend to use as I would have to remove those nice springs from my Peco turnouts,.... and the Tortoise are just too bulky under the relatively thin shelfs/decks I am trying to maintain.
Thanks Randy. Browsing through it. Trying to find info here about how to build the servo modules he used.
rrinker Hint - the current Servo library for Arduino is not limited to the PWM pins only - you cna put a servo on any digital pin. I'm going DIY this time, but last time I used controllers from Tam Valley. I used Singlets, and provided my own servo by getting them from eBay. If you don;t need DCC operation of the turnout, the Octopus is much more cost effective on a per turnout basis - it controls 8, but doesn;t come with DCC capability (though you can add it later, he sells an add-on module that adds DCC control to the Octopus). I didn;t really research others, I was quite happy with the service and support I got from Tam Valley.
Hint - the current Servo library for Arduino is not limited to the PWM pins only - you cna put a servo on any digital pin.
I'm going DIY this time, but last time I used controllers from Tam Valley. I used Singlets, and provided my own servo by getting them from eBay. If you don;t need DCC operation of the turnout, the Octopus is much more cost effective on a per turnout basis - it controls 8, but doesn;t come with DCC capability (though you can add it later, he sells an add-on module that adds DCC control to the Octopus). I didn;t really research others, I was quite happy with the service and support I got from Tam Valley.
Randy do you have any info on how to get this done? A write up and pictures possibly? I have never used a servo before or an arduino for that matter although I would like to learn. Thanks!
My new DIY design will actually be fairly inexpensive per turnout, but it is also overkill for most people. I'm incorproating dispatcher lockout and control, and absoolutely bulletproof frog polarity control.
If DIY, by means of simply following someone else's instructions, is an option, Geoff Bunza has a circuit that drives a lot of servos, with pushbuttons for remote control. TOtal cost should be no more than $4-5 per turnout, including the switch motor (servo), controller (Arduino) and the buttons. Depending on where you buy the stuff from.