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Testing Peco Switch Motors

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:35 PM

I have used 18 vac for twin coil machines but this circuit is better if you try to operate two or three for route selection. Some people switch more than one turnout using one switch. I have to switch a three way and depending on which route, I may have to switch two coils simultaneously.

I have built this CD supply and it works very well. I added a another 2200 ufd capacitor in parallel with C2 for a little more "punch". Just watch the polarity of the electrolytic capacitors. I use 24 vdc power supply to power the CD circuit.

http://www.awrr.com/cdsupply.html

Rich 

 

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 709 posts
Posted by nedthomas on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:21 PM

Try this site. They have what you are loooking for.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • 202 posts
Posted by rlandry6 on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:07 PM

Can you point me to a source for a PS or to a schematic so I can build it?

 

Thanks

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:01 PM

I would go with the CD circuit.

I've got both Atlas and Peco switch machines.  The Atlas ones run fine, but the Peco units really do need more of a kick.  Not surprising, because they have to overcome the force of the Peco spring that holds the points against the stock rails.

You could just run them with the higher voltage, but in the long run, you'll be happier with the CD.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • 202 posts
Posted by rlandry6 on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:56 PM

***Update***

I went back and tried them using the ACC AC terminals and everything works properly with AC voltage. The output voltage of that terminal is 17VAC. Does that mean I have to run the tunouts on AC? I was going to use a CD power supply because that's what I've read most people use for turnout control. Maybe I didn't have the DC turned up high enough. How much DC voltage does it need?

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • 202 posts
Testing Peco Switch Motors
Posted by rlandry6 on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:37 PM

I have an interchange array that I just built consisting of 13 Peco turnouts and PL-10 switch motors. I'm testing the motors for proper operation in both directions. Some of them operate fine both ways, some will only switch one direction and buzz when trying to go the other way. One buzzes in either direction and will not switch. I checked for binding and everything looks OK. I'm using a MRC power pack with the DC voltage adjusted for 14 volts. Is this enough voltage to operate these switch motors? I'm using the two terminals on on side tied together as the common and then the terminal for each coil is wired separately. Anybody have an idea what's happening here?

Thanks

 

 

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