Walthers Switch Machines and Peco turnouts

[1arfarf3]

Where do you attach the switch machine actuator wire to throwbar on Peco turnouts? Atlas attached it on outside of track but Peco has no way to on outside of track. There is a sizeable hole in Peco throwbar but it's in between the rails. If this is where to insert it, isnt there a danger of engines and cars to maybe get caught on it?  

Anyone have experience, tips, ideas, etc with this? 

[Water Level Route]

That hole between the rails is exactly where it goes.  Trim it to no taller than the height of the rails and nothing should snag on it.

[richhotrain]

Water Level Route

That hole between the rails is exactly where it goes.  Trim it to no taller than the height of the rails and nothing should snag on it. 

Same for Atlas turnouts. There is a hole in the throwbar between the rails. That hole in the throwbar outside of the rails is intended to be used for manual ground throws such as the Caboose Industries ground throws.

Rich

[1arfarf3]

Thanks, Mike.

[maxman]

Water Level Route

That hole between the rails is exactly where it goes.  Trim it to no taller than the height of the rails and nothing should snag on it.

 

 

This is correct, but make sure that you move the throwbar through its entire travel before cutting anything.  I think you'll find that the wire may extend further at one end of the travel than through the center (or maybe the other way around) so you'll not want to cut the wire too short and then have it drop out of the hole.

[Mark R.]

Just like to add .... on Peco turnouts, you will need to remove the internal spring that snaps the points side to side. The switch machine does not have enough strength to throw the points with that spring still attached.

 

Mark.

[MisterBeasley]

I've got a few Peco turnouts, all driven by Peco twin-coil machines.  These attach directly to the underside of the turnout and provide the necessary power to throw the turnout even with the rather strong spring that holds the points against the stock rails.

These switch machines require a capacitive discharge (CD) circuit.  If you're using a weaker machine or a slow motion machine, you need to remove the spring from the turnout.

On a different topic, the Code 100 Atlas turnouts and snap-switches I've used can use the side-mounted Atlas twin coil machines, which attach to the throw are outside the rails.

[bagal]

Mark R.

Just like to add .... on Peco turnouts, you will need to remove the internal spring that snaps the points side to side. The switch machine does not have enough strength to throw the points with that spring still attached.

 

Mark.

 

I've found that the next larger wire on a tortoise will overcome the spring. But, why not just use Peco motors?

[hjQi]

I used Walther switch machine with peco turnout only. Works great! But one thing is that Walther swtich machines have quality issues. I have several that stop working after some two or three months. I contacted Walther and they admitted that it depended on which batch I purchased! This caused a big pain as replacing the switch machine after installation is not a fun. I still have two dead turnout on my track that would take me lots of efforts to replace...

Jerry

[richhotrain]

hjQi

I used Walther switch machine with peco turnout only. Works great! But one thing is that Walther swtich machines have quality issues. I have several that stop working after some two or three months. I contacted Walther and they admitted that it depended on which batch I purchased! 

I would be willing to bet that Circuitron has never had a single failure with their Tortoise. At one time, I had 70 Tortoises on my old layout for over 12 years - - never a single failure. Why does anyone even bother purchasing Walthers switch machines given the excellent reputation of the Tortoise?

Rich

[hjQi]

richhotrain

Why does anyone even bother purchasing Walthers switch machines given the excellent reputation of the Tortoise?

I learned my lesson, in a painful way . Rich, thanks for pointing that out.

But for my partcular case, the walther switch machine I used has the L shape throw rod, so the overall hight is about 1.5". I have very tight space but I may stretch myself too much....

Jerry

[hjQi]

Lastspikemike

Walthers is likely to stand behind their product, they usually do.

Yes. their products are great, if they work. I would not stretch myself when I expand my layout...

Jerry

[1arfarf3]

I do not have the Walthers machines yet as they are still not available, so this may be the time to explore using Tortoises.

Where would I find any printed installation info for Tortoise's? Web sites, etc?There are probably You tubes to view but I prefer written if at all possible. 

Thanks. 

[1arfarf3]

Using the Walthers instructions that came with the turnout, I'm getting ready to install Walthers switch machines on new walthers ho code 100 and Peco ho code 100 turnouts. 

The Walthers have a hole at each end of throw bar to use to drill through layout top. These 2 holes and and center hole are used to get throw bar alignment at bottom of bench work. 

The Peco's have no holes at each end of throw bar. Jerry, what did you do to get the alignment on bottom of bench work?

Thanks.

[1arfarf3]

Did you use any of the Peco's for crossovers? If so, any insulated rail joiners used and any bus wires and feeders attached to switch? Did you power the frogs?

I'm using Peco SLE-88 for crossovers.

 

[gmpullman]

1arfarf3

Where would I find any printed installation info for Tortoise's? Web sites, etc?

Sorry, it looks like the website is from 1974 but... there's links to instructions there:

http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/tortoise.htm

Good Luck, Ed

[1arfarf3]

The Walthers switches come with an instruction sheet to test the using the switch machine. Do you have to go through that testing also if using Peco SL-E88's and SL-E89's? 

Thanks.

[1arfarf3]

I'll be using the Walthers switch machine with Peco's. Question is did you follow the instructions that came with Walther switches to install machines on Walthers switch and also now on Peco's? 

Any other tips, ideas, etc on installing  machines on Peco?

Thanks.

[1arfarf3]

Want to use the Walthers switch machines on Peco SL-E88 and SL-89 switches. You you said works great but did you have to go through same installation instructions that came with the Walther switches? Any other advice, help, etc????

Thanks.