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!

turnout control circuit

2523 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2017
  • 7 posts
turnout control circuit
Posted by SORNJS on Sunday, December 24, 2017 2:22 PM

I designed a turnout control circuit cicra 1985 that worked with tortouse units and i believed was based on Forrest Mims' radio shack booklet on operational amplifiers.

The circuit used two momentary pushbuttons,

#1 provided + voltage to the tortoise

#2 provided - voltage to the tortoise

When used in a yard/lader situtation, the button pushed changed all required turnouts to get in or out of that track to the required direction.

My 30 year old memory, not so good.

I do recall the circuit was simple with few parts.

Any help would be appreciated

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, December 30, 2017 8:09 AM

Sornjs,

Do You recall what book it was in? There are many books out by Him:

https://www.google.com/search?q=forrest+mims+circuit+scrapbook+pdf&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCgqr_8LHYAhVmct8KHc3xD5UQsAQIQg&biw=1229&bih=587#imgrc=zCOJNFloWNdFqM:

He used to have circuits in the  Popular Mechanics/Science/ Electronics Mags of long ago.

Good Luck! Big Smile

Frank 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, December 30, 2017 9:49 AM

Check my Google Drive and see if this is the book your looking for.  The link below is a sharable link and should work.
 
 
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, December 30, 2017 11:27 AM

 To operate a Tortoise via two pushbuttons would need something more like a flip-flop than an opamp. 

 There was one posted here in 2009, uses a 556 timer chip. Unfortunately the OP of that one has not decided to pay for Photobucket so his image links witht he schematic and board layout are all dead. 

 However - it's a basic 556 circuit and of course Rob Paisley has the same thing:

http://www.circuitous.ca/556Stall08.html

Doesn't get much simpler, a 556 and 2x 10K resistors per switch machine. Push one button, Tortoise moves one way, push the other, it moves the opposite way.

                                           --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Monday, January 1, 2018 7:49 AM

SORNJS
When used in a yard/lader situtation, the button pushed changed all required turnouts to get in or out of that track to the required direction.

latching the pushbutton can control a single turnout, but isn't more logic required to control multiple turnouts on a yard ladder?

Design procedure for yard ladder control using slow-motion switch motors (but there may be better ways of doing this).

while the above uses a dual-pole rotary switch, sounds like you're interested in a single button to align all the turnouts to a particular yard track?

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 6:59 AM

Push Buttons... BAH!

 

Big boys go with BIG TOYS!

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 7:33 AM

There is more recent circuitry to do what you want to do.

I power my Tortoises from a DC power pack.

I control my passenger station yard ladder with an NCE Mini Panel and a series of momentary push buttons mounted on a control panel.

Each push button controls the entire route (multiple Tortoise controlled turnouts) into a specified station track on the ladder. The Mini Panel is programmed to automatically select the route when a particular momentary button is pushed on the control panel.

Rich

Alton Junction

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!