I would like to utilize Tortoise switch machines in hard-to-reach places on my layout. I am using Micro Engineering turnouts and have a few questions.
Do you power the Tortoise from the main power bus?
Is the Tortoise strong enough to throw the points on a Micro Engineering turnout since there is a spring involved?
Is it necessary to power the frog? I model the 50s/60s and will be running F7s and GP 7/9s mostly.
I plan to insert a control in the fascia to control the turnout. Do I need to use a SPST or a DPDT?
Thank you.
PD
tpd0418 I would like to utilize Tortoise switch machines in hard-to-reach places on my layout. I am using Micro Engineering turnouts and have a few questions. Do you power the Tortoise from the main power bus? The Tortoise runs on 6 to 12 volt DC power. Somewhere in between will give you a good slow run speed. Power depends on what your are running. For instance you cant run off of a raw DCC bus. Also if you are DC you don't want to run off of the track wiring because if the train is stopped the turnout won't run. Is the Tortoise strong enough to throw the points on a Micro Engineering turnout since there is a spring involved? It should be fine with a thicker music wire. Just ream the hole a little larger and you should be fine. I've done several PECO's which also have a spring. Is it necessary to power the frog? I model the 50s/60s and will be running F7s and GP 7/9s mostly. Most modern loco's do not need a powered frog, especially if it has all wheel pick-up. I plan to insert a control in the fascia to control the turnout. Do I need to use a SPST or a DPDT? Thank you. You want to use DPDT. You need to reverse the voltage polarity to change turnout direction. SPDT doesn't allow that. PD
The Tortoise runs on 6 to 12 volt DC power. Somewhere in between will give you a good slow run speed. Power depends on what your are running. For instance you cant run off of a raw DCC bus. Also if you are DC you don't want to run off of the track wiring because if the train is stopped the turnout won't run.
It should be fine with a thicker music wire. Just ream the hole a little larger and you should be fine. I've done several PECO's which also have a spring.
Most modern loco's do not need a powered frog, especially if it has all wheel pick-up.
You want to use DPDT. You need to reverse the voltage polarity to change turnout direction. SPDT doesn't allow that.
Springfield PA
Good answers above. Here's one addition:
You CAN use a SPST switch if you have a split power supply.
Common wire to one side of tortoise. Center of switch to other side of tortoise (through a bi-color LED if you'd like an indicator). + supply to one end of switch - supply to other end.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
One addition too the above: Remove the springs from the turnouts...Easy to do and makes things much smoother.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I left the springs in the PECO's. They snap in place but work fine. Taking them out does make them switch more prototypical but if you don't care about it and want to maintain the spring for future you can leave them in.
Hamltnblue I left the springs in the PECO's. They snap in place but work fine. Taking them out does make them switch more prototypical but if you don't care about it and want to maintain the spring for future you can leave them in.
if you don't do the 'dcc friendly' conversion of live frog points and leave the spring in you can have issue. IF?? you haven't centred the point motor properly but it still works because of the spring help, it is possible for the point to change and the tortoise to not yet have changed frog polarity creating a short. if you are 'dcc friendly' this isn't an issue as the blades are always stock rail polarity.