Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Turntable circuitry

1382 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Tucson AZ
  • 18 posts
Turntable circuitry
Posted by woodstuff on Thursday, August 28, 2008 9:58 AM

HI,

I'm in process of designing a turntable that is approximately 5 inches in N scale. The problem is finding a method to control the table. I'm wondering if there is a circuit that I could build that would propel and index a turntable.

 

Marv
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Thursday, August 28, 2008 2:31 PM
 woodstuff wrote:

HI,

I'm in process of designing a turntable that is approximately 5 inches in N scale. The problem is finding a method to control the table. I'm wondering if there is a circuit that I could build that would propel and index a turntable.

 

Sort of a cheater method I've seen used in HO scale is to mount an Atlas Turntable with motor below the layout and run a connection up from the Atlas deck to drive your turntable. They're mechanically indexed. By connecting wires from the Atlas Turntable rails to the ones on your turntable, you can also power the rails, with reversing at a given point.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, August 28, 2008 2:56 PM

I do not know if you have built it yet, but Atlas sells a 7 1/2 inch turntable for N scale. If you have never built a turntable yet, this might be the way to go. If you have your turntable built, use this one underneath to control. You might find a used one on ebay for less cost.


Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:18 PM
 woodstuff wrote:

HI,

I'm in process of designing a turntable that is approximately 5 inches in N scale. The problem is finding a method to control the table. I'm wondering if there is a circuit that I could build that would propel and index a turntable.

 

Sounds like a real challenge!  Here are a couple of links I've found in the past.

Turntable Indexer 

Precision Indexing Turntable 

The Atlas turntable mods seem to be popular too.  Good luck with the project! Thumbs Up [tup]

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: City of Québec,Canada
  • 1,258 posts
Posted by Jacktal on Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:49 PM
The Atlas N scale turntable is cheap,easy to operate and set-up,could easily be disguised with some scenery.It,s two disadvantages in my opinion is that it's indexing,although precise and reliable,is fixed at 15 degrees increments so you have to install your trackwork accordingly.It's worst inconvenient is that it is too small at eight inches so my feeling is that you may be sorry to have built a five inch one in the future.
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Tucson AZ
  • 18 posts
Posted by woodstuff on Thursday, August 28, 2008 4:51 PM

Kevin,
Thank you for the links. the Atlas turn table is 3 inches too big.

I'm not quite sure about the spacing, but I will find that out soon enough.

 

Marv

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!