Hello everyone. All I want to do is control a tortoise machine with one toggle switch. I don't need any lights or anything.
1) Do I need a specific kind of toggle switch?
2) Which wire goes to where?
3) Any BASIC pictures to help out would be great. (This would be awesome)
4) Do I need a certain kind of power? DC or AC?
Thanks to anyone that can spare a few clicks on the keyboard to help out a NuB. I figure this is pretty elementary for most of you but is a bit confusing for a first timer! I was looking at the instructions and thinking YIKES!!! : )
Thanks,
B
The SIMPLEST way is to use DC.
Get a DPDT toggle. NOT one with center off.
RUn wires on the back of the toggle switch like an X from the corner terminals. Top left to bottom right, top right to bottom left.
connect a wire from center left to pin 1 of Tortoise. connect center right to pin 8 of Tortoise.
Connect one side of the DC power supply to the bottom left of the switch (should have 2 wires there - 1 to power supply, the other is one of the X wires from the first step). Connect the other side of the DC power supply to the bottom right of the switch. This also should now have 2 wires.
You're done!
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I assume they should be a smaller gauge? What do you recommend?
I also assume they should be insulated to avoid the touching at where the "X" crosses?
Do you solder the wires on the back of the toggle or are there special fasteners on the back?
Thanks Randy for your repsonse. That seems pretty straight forward!
Thin wire is fine, the Tortoise draws very little power. Phone wire works fine.
Yes it needs to be insulated at the X. Most small toggles, the wire solders on to it. You don't need a big giant toggle switch, a miniature or subminiature one is more than adequate. Plus takes up less space on the control panel.
The instructions do a very good job of showing 3 different ways of wiring a tortoise using either a DPST, a SPST or push buttons. The pictures in the instructiosn are about a BASIC as you can get. One uses DC, one using bipolar DC and the last uses AC.
Some further information beyond YIKES would be helpful. What don't you specifically understand about which diagram?
My layout will only be 4 by 18 with about 4 trains. I have a 1 amp bachmann ez command as my primary system right now. Do you think that is enough current to power several tortoises and 4 dcc trains?
The EZCommand is a clumsy way to control 4 trains, but it does have enough power. You will need a separate power supply for the switches.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I know it isn't the best, but it is what I have right now. Is 1 amp capable of running 4 dcc trains? How many amps would I need to power 6 tortiose machines?...I figure I would be able run all 4 trains and 6 switches on 1 amp. What would be a cheap alternative power supply to run the 6 tortoises? Thanks.
AFTER you explained it.....the picture makes complete sense now. I had a serious brain fade for a bit!!
MAYBE you can run 4 trains on 1 amp. But only 1 wouild be under control with the EZ Command, the other 3 would be running free.
THe output of the DCC system is not suitable to run Tortoises. For the Tortoises, go to Radio Shack and get this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3802151
With 9V instead of 12V the Tortoises will be quieter, and 300ma is good enough for up to 15-20 Tortoises.
Thanks for your patience Randy. I really do appreciate all you have done. One last "dumb" question....I assume you just cut the end off the adapter and solder/wire nut it to tortoise "bus" so to speak? Then all your tortoises tap into that supply line?
Again thanks for helping out a guy just getting started with this stuff. I spent the 1st part of my life playing sports while looking at this hobby from a distance. Now I am watching sports and starting to play with the trains! Talk about a complete flip!
Yes, cut the plug off and tie all the bottom lefts of the toggles to one wire, and all the bottom rights to the other.