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!

Turntable index control

2150 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: New Jersey, US
  • 379 posts
Posted by topcopdoc on Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:57 AM

Hank,

As soon as I convert the diagram I will send it along.

Doc

 This is my first try making a diagram in Microsoft Word so forgive my crude attempt. Solder red wire to yard lead track on plus side (+) and other end to wafer switch. Solder red wires (+) to each tab on wafer switch and other end to plus side (+) on roundhouse tracks. All the ground (-) sides can be soldered together using black wire. To power a particular roundhouse track just turn knob on switch to that position. Doc

Pennsylvania Railroad The Standard Railroad of the World
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • 4 posts
Posted by DieSteam on Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:51 AM

How much depth does the Walthers turntable require?  I have 1" foam on top of plywood.  Would I need to cut into my plwood or or is 1" enough depth?

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Rosamond, Ca
  • 8 posts
Posted by PRR Photo Hank on Friday, April 10, 2009 6:47 PM

Hi Doc

Do you have a schematic to your rotary switch control I've dabaled with enough that I could prob. build something.

                                                                                                          Thanks Hank !!!

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Rosamond, Ca
  • 8 posts
Posted by PRR Photo Hank on Friday, April 10, 2009 6:31 PM

I have a Heljin 98' W/a Walthers drive #942-472. I think the rotary index probaly will work but does any body have a schematic on how to do it??

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Thursday, April 9, 2009 8:08 PM

I'll second Jim's comment on the Walthers Turntable. I have the 130 foot model installed and operational and setting the indexes was a snap. And the self zeroing feature if you need to pull the bridge for cleaning makes this a reliable and simple to set up unit.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, April 9, 2009 7:28 PM

Pray tell, which turntable are you using?  They're not all the same, and they won't necessarily do best with any one indexing system.  This is mine:

Beneath the scenery, it's an Atlas.  No external indexing required.  So, watcha got?

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

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Thursday, April 9, 2009 7:17 PM

  The PTC controller may be overkill at $375!  My Walthers $300 turntable indexes fine and includes everything in a single package(except power).  I have seen the PTC in operation and it is sweet, but a little too rich for my blood!

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: New Jersey, US
  • 379 posts
Posted by topcopdoc on Thursday, April 9, 2009 5:48 PM
I am using a wafer or rotary control switch, which consists of turn able knob with a large number of contacts on it. One wire attaches to each of the roundhouse tracks and to the switch contacts. The other wires go to a common ground.

 

 I turn the turntable with a small power pack until the tracks line up then engage the rotary switch to give it power.

 

I have a small diode on each track, which lights green if the track has power. It is simple and foolproof way to power each track.

 

Doc

 

Pennsylvania Railroad The Standard Railroad of the World
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Summit NJ
  • 308 posts
Posted by fkrall on Thursday, April 9, 2009 5:39 PM

I'll soon be doing the same thing and will look forward to replies to your question.  I've found the PTC controller but don't know how it compares.  It appears highly capable, but it may also be overkill: 

http://nyrs.com/ 

Rick Krall 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Rosamond, Ca
  • 8 posts
Turntable index control
Posted by PRR Photo Hank on Thursday, April 9, 2009 3:22 PM

I'm looking for a controler to index the turntable for my HO layout

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

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!