Is this accurate?
the way in reading it the main buss wire is my DCC and the power for switching device is just plain old DC
Is that correct?
The motor in the tortoise receives its power via pads 1 and 8. This power is 12 VDC maximum. Most find that 9 VDC is a good compromise of power and motor noise. The other pads are a pair of SPDT switches that can be used to switch power to switch frogs or to control signals.
Joe
*** picture didn't show up, I guess I have to go photobucket it or something and then figure out how to link to the photo from here...
It was just a simple color diagram showing a tortoise with positions one and eight on the tortoise going to the center poles on a six pole DPDT switch, with tortoise position two and three getting power from the main system buss which in my case is DCC
it also showed two wires coming in from the side going to the center poles on e switch and it was labeled as being "switch machine power"
which I took to mean a DC feed which is shown as being a black wire on position four on the tortoise and going to feed the frog on the switch(I'm using all atlas switches if that helps)
Matthew
JoeinPA The motor in the tortoise receives its power via pads 1 and 8. This power is 12 VDC maximum. Most find that 9 VDC is a good compromise of power and motor noise. The other pads are a pair of SPDT switches that can be used to switch power to switch frogs or to control signals. Joe
Joe, stupid question, my DPDT switches have a center setting that is off, if I were to put the switch in that setting would the tortoise continue to maintain the tension on the switch/frog?
Because with the Atlas n scale switches if you just set one up untethered in a simple loop and run a train around a dozen times the frog moves gradually till you get a derailment...
Plus wouldn't it be better on the tortoises to not be on all the time?
Right now it's just a test with one tortoise, but if it goes well all my switches will be tortoised and that would be like 20 of them!
matthewd5 JoeinPA The motor in the tortoise receives its power via pads 1 and 8. This power is 12 VDC maximum. Most find that 9 VDC is a good compromise of power and motor noise. The other pads are a pair of SPDT switches that can be used to switch power to switch frogs or to control signals. Joe Joe, stupid question, my DPDT switches have a center setting that is off, if I were to put the switch in that setting would the tortoise continue to maintain the tension on the switch/frog? Because with the Atlas n scale switches if you just set one up untethered in a simple loop and run a train around a dozen times the frog moves gradually till you get a derailment... Plus wouldn't it be better on the tortoises to not be on all the time? Right now it's just a test with one tortoise, but if it goes well all my switches will be tortoised and that would be like 20 of them! Matthew
Matthew:
Tortoises are designed to go to a position and stall there. You leave the power on and that insures that the points remain in good contact. So you throw your toggle switch and leave it thrown until you want to throw the turnout to another position. In the stalled position Tortoises consume very little power and don't heat up. Maxman makes a good point. We don't really understand the diagram you are referring to. This is the diagram that comes with the Tortoise:http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/INS/800-6000ins.pdf. See if it helps you.
LION likes tortoise. Makes good soup. Comes with own bowl. Very clever.
Tortoise also make good switch machine. Throw away in instructions and follow instructions of LION.
LION would NOT put Tortoise on DCC track bus, mostly because the LION does not have a DCC track bus, but be that as it may him thinks not well of the idea since it is not pure DC and will give tortoise indigestion. Tortoise might give troubles to DCC signals too. LION does not know.
LION has 3 wires: +12v dc; -12v dc; and GROUND. One side of Tortoise is connected to the Ground. (Tortoises LIKE to be on the ground--not happy if scooped up by eagle) LION has ONE wire to Tortoise, is either +12v dc (Reverse) or -12v dc (Normal) as selected by an SPST switch. A micro-switch actually.
Micro-switch is controlled by GRS Model-5 Interlocking Plant:
ROAR (Look, Ma, No DCC here!)
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Matthew,
Tortoise switch machines work with DC power, not AC. Please note in the Tortoise #3 diagram showing use of AC power, there are diodes introduced to the circuit to provide half-wave DC to the switch machine.
Nestled in the Lion's message is the golden nugget--use a separate DC power supply to power your Tortoise switch machines. You can use up to 12 volts but 9 v generally works just fine and is generally a little quieter.
Good luck!
Nestled within Lions diagram nd text is also another amazing simplification: use a common ground and a +12V/0/-12V supply.