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Walthers Turntable wiring

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  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Saturday, December 30, 2017 11:27 PM

southern154

... Could someone explain to me how to wire the track, and connect it to the split ring so the wires dont twist and twist and twist? 

Your description doesn't sound like you have the 'built-up' version offered first in 2006, or the digital newer version.  It sounds like the first 90'er I tried, the one that you must motorize or turn by hand.  It has a large gear included for that contingency.  It has two brazz rings intended to be separately electrified and the wires have to go up to the rails from those rings, one wire to each rail.  I haven't seen this setup for a few years, so my memory is fuzzy.  

I found that I had to make two phosphor bronze wipers, or maybe they were/are copper, wipe against those two rings.  The rings turn with the pivot axle and the bridge.  The wipers stay in one place with the rings turning under them.  So, there should be no reason to fear twisting wires since the rings turn with the bridge, and so would the wires up to the tracks.  Or, maybe my bad memory forgets that the rings don't turn at all, but the wipers turn with the bridge....whichever it is, the wires to the rails do not have to twist at all.  

There was no split rail in that design.  I had to use a DPDT toggle to reverse the polarity of the bridge rails so that it would match whatever was in the bay rails.

The built-up versions from 2006 and later do have a split rail design.  The bridge has four or five concentric metal surfaces that wipe on wipers in the middle of the pit well.  Again, wipers stay put, bridge pivot turns, and when the split rail gap is crossed, the device reverses its phase or polarity all by its lonesome.  No wires to cross, twist, pretzle, or sever.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 30, 2017 9:12 PM

southern154

I just bought a walthers 90' turntable, and i am very confused at the wiring and the split ring. The diagram doesn't do a good job explaining. Could someone explain to me how to wire the track, and connect it to the split ring so the wires dont twist and twist and twist?

 

Which one?  Walthers makes more than one 90' TT.  Can you give us an Item Number?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 31 posts
Posted by southern154 on Saturday, December 30, 2017 8:00 PM

I just bought a walthers 90' turntable, and i am very confused at the wiring and the split ring. The diagram doesn't do a good job explaining. Could someone explain to me how to wire the track, and connect it to the split ring so the wires dont twist and twist and twist?

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Summit NJ
  • 308 posts
Posted by fkrall on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:43 PM

I'm a bit out on a limb here, but I understand that you don't need an auto reverser for a turntable if you're running DCC.  I recently completed a CMR TT and powered the reversing rails through an auto reverser so I could maintain sound through the rotation.  But the CMR instructions, and CMR when I called, said it wasn't necessary otherwise.

To answer the OPs question, I have an OG-AR unit through Tony's.

I'm happy to be corrected if my understanding is wrong, as I have a unit anyway!

Rick Krall

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4:24 AM

cgrubb80

 

I think I did see this one and couldn't pay that price.  I will get by with the kit.  I just need to know what auto reverser. 

Why spend $30 or $40 on an auto-reverser?   Just wire in a DPDT switch and operate it manually, just like the turntable.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Loveland, CO
  • 77 posts
Posted by cgrubb80 on Monday, January 23, 2012 8:49 PM

richg1998

 cgrubb80:

I actually did not know that there was a prebuilt one.  I bought the kit. 

 

 cgrubb80:

I actually did not know that there was a prebuilt one.  I bought the kit. 

 

You should have looked at the Walther's site first. Store the Walther's link in Favorites.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?manu=&item=&words=restrict&split=30&category=&scale=&instock=Q&keywords=turntable&start=30

Rich

I think I did see this one and couldn't pay that price.  I will get by with the kit.  I just need to know what auto reverser. 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, January 23, 2012 8:36 PM

If you need a reverser, at least one reverser will not operate very well with the Power Cab. The AR-1 reverser in our club layout does not work with the Power Cab. It works just fine with the Power Pro.

I have read of a couple people that had the same issue. Your mileage may vary.

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
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, January 23, 2012 8:30 PM

cgrubb80

I actually did not know that there was a prebuilt one.  I bought the kit. 

cgrubb80

I actually did not know that there was a prebuilt one.  I bought the kit. 

You should have looked at the Walther's site first. Store the Walther's link in Favorites.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?manu=&item=&words=restrict&split=30&category=&scale=&instock=Q&keywords=turntable&start=30

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
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, January 23, 2012 8:25 PM

What do the instructions/diagram show?

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
    February 2001
  • From: Loveland, CO
  • 77 posts
Posted by cgrubb80 on Monday, January 23, 2012 8:01 PM

I actually did not know that there was a prebuilt one.  I bought the kit. 

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Monday, January 23, 2012 7:40 PM

If you're talking about the prebuilt turntable that's already wired, it mechanically reverses at a certain point as it rotates. The bridge rails are connected to the track power through a split ring.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Loveland, CO
  • 77 posts
Walthers Turntable wiring
Posted by cgrubb80 on Monday, January 23, 2012 6:02 PM

I searched the forum and cannot find an answer to this question.  I am installing the Walther's turntable.  It is my understanding that an auto reverse module will be needed for the track power.  I have a NCE Power Cab system.  I cannot find an auto reverse module on their website.  Which one would be the best to get? 

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