I recently installed a tortoise switch. It worked fine but it is pretty noisy. I dont really care for the snap switches. Has anyone used a servo motor for switch control? if so, how does that work and what brand did you use? Thoughts on the best method here? Thank you.
Yes, there are people in here who use servos, unfortunately I'm not one of them. You might try lowering the voltage to the Tortoise.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
The Tortoise should be completely silent -- if it's making noise, you have the voltage too high. A Tortoise will work okay on as little as 5 volts.
Our club is starting to use servos for switch machines and I am taking the lead for the project. We are using Tam Valley controllers and the small SG9 servos. We are also using a different type of linkage and mounting system than most folks are using these days.
http://waynes-trains.com/site/NeatStuff/ServoMounting/ServoLink.html
You can get the servos for as little as $2.50 each in quantity. If you don't need to connect the controller to LocoNet, an 8 servo controller will cost around $35. We get the servos and different cables from eBay. You will also need some type of input control. We are building our own as described in the Tam Valley instructions. You can go to their web site and download any of the instructions you want to.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I have found Tortoises can be somewhat noisy when powered by an unfiltered DC supply (just a transformer and rectifier). I imagine it would be even worse if it was a half wave unfiltered DC supply. On a filtered supply they are pretty quiet although not silent. I have 72 Tortoises and there is variation in their noise making ability. Some are louder than others even though they are all relatively same age and use. Probably a fair bit of manufacturing tolerence in them.
Alan
Freelancing the LK&O Railroad
The noise might be because the tortoises are screwed to the benchwork which acts as a sounding board to amplify the noise.
I use Tortoise, servos, old modified telephone relays and dual solenoids to operate turnouts on my layout. I find the dual solenoids the most annoying with the big Wham so I'm replacing them. Servos seem to make more noise than the average Tortoise and I am going to use them for semaphore signals and revert to tortoises for most turnouts (I like having those extra contacts). I have a semi automatic switch back that uses modified relays to operate the turnouts and their contacts do all the electrical changes (DC) . They just make a click sound.
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
I did a test of using R/C servos th throw switches on my clubs layout. I had some old servos from my R/C airplane days and put a pair on a crossover. They worked fine and still do. Then I did a couple more switches with the last of my servos and some donated by another member of my club. My servos work fine but the other servos don't work well and will not throw the switches completely. I will be replacing them with peco motors.
OeBB I recently installed a tortoise switch. It worked fine but it is pretty noisy.
I recently installed a tortoise switch. It worked fine but it is pretty noisy.
Alton Junction
LION does not screw around with Tortoises. Him GLUES them to the table with silicone caulk No matter, they still make noise. It never occured to me to lower the voltage. LION will have to think about that, but... LION *likes* the noise. The noise tells me that the turnout is in motion. It also tells me not to clear the signal until the switch is fully thrown. Throwing levers in an interlocking plant is not like tossing switches on your layout. It takes time for the switch to trhow and lock and then release the lever to finish the cycle, before you can move to the next lever.
All a part of railroading.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLion LION does not screw around with Tortoises. Him GLUES them to the table with silicone caulk No matter, they still make noise. It never occured to me to lower the voltage. LION will have to think about that, but... LION *likes* the noise. The noise tells me that the turnout is in motion.
LION does not screw around with Tortoises. Him GLUES them to the table with silicone caulk No matter, they still make noise. It never occured to me to lower the voltage. LION will have to think about that, but... LION *likes* the noise. The noise tells me that the turnout is in motion.
What is the big deal about Tortoise switch machines?
Is it realistic operation or something else?
If that is the case, there are many components in model RRs that are not that realistic anyway so it doesn't make much difference.
Or is it something else that Tortoise's offer?
They are extremely durable. Most of mine are 10 years old, and not a one has ever failed.
They are dependable. Once installed they always work properly moving all the way against the stock rail.
They are versatile. You can wire two different sets of signals to each Tortoise.
Those are just three reasons why I like Tortoises.
Rich
Big Boy ForeverWhat is the big deal about Tortoise switch machines?
For the LION, it is the extreme ease of installaation, The constant power application that allows better switch control, and the fact that I can choose to operate then with a single conductor from the console to the device. With the complexity of my layout, and costs of cable, this is an important consideration.
They ARE much more realistic - prototypical powered turnouts do not suddenly snap from one position to the other. Plus there is the constant power stall, which keeps the point rails firmly pressed against the stock reails, making the track more reliable. And there is the far lower current demand compared to solenoid snap switch machines. A small 150ma wall wart can power almost 10 Tortoises. Try powering just one solenoid machine with that will instantly burn out the internal fusible link. No need to use momentary buttons, since the power can stay on, the switch lever can indicate the set direction. Plus there are two sets of contacts on a Tortoise to operate signals or indicator lights. And you can even just install LEDs in series with the Tortoise motor to use as panel indicators, no resistors needed, and the contacts are still available.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.