Hi Guys,
I was wondering what people were using for N Scale Switch Machines. I have Atlas Code 55 Switches. I really need them compact for my yard.
Thanks,
Mike
Check Tam Valley Depot's RC servos and controllers.
http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/
An RC servo is more compact than a Tortoise switch motor.
You could try Micro-Mark's Switch Tender. Small, one hole mounting, not too hard to mount. One advantage I like is that after the turnout is moved, you can turn off the power to the Switch Tender. I've found that the resistance of the gearing holds the point rails securely against the stock rails. BTW, I model in N scale too. But, no matter what you use, things may get a bit crowded under the layout and you may have to offset some of the switch machines and use some kind of linkage.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
Problem I have witht he switch tender (and those other new ones, the Cobalt) is that they draw too much current to use a simple series LED for position indicators liek you cna with a Tortoise. A Tortoise draws like 15ma - so the fact that they stay powered isn;t really a big deal. 100 of them would draw 1.5 amps.
The Tam Valley controllers have control buttons and LED indicators, so that's taken care of. A tiny 9G servro is plenty powerful enough for N scale (I use the for HO) and if you have a traditional plywood subroadbed it's super easy to just glue the servo tot he bottom and srill a small hole for the wire. Very low profile, which might come in handy in a multi level situation. No reason you couldn;t glue the servo right to foam or other materials either, but I use the mounts made by Motrak to attach mine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.