Thanks for thoughts. Leaning toward the Tortoise option.
They're standard 3-wire servo cables. You can get extensions just about anywhere, already made up. Same issue, sometimes, witht he Tam Valley controllers. They come with wire (or rather the servo itself comes with a wire) long enough to reach the fascia if the turnout is no more than half way across an 18" wide section of benchwork.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The wires supplied with the Walthers system are only 4 feet long. Having plugs on the ends is nice, but when you need longer wires you've either got to get wires, plugs and a crimping tool or end up splicing wires into the middle of what comes with the set.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Couple it with a 4010B non-inverting buffer and you can drive a Tortoise directly, no relays. Since they are CMOS parts, they will work on a 12V supply, and the 4010 can drive 15-20ma per buffer easily.
a CHEAP way to implement a control toggle button is to use a incrementer/counter chip (I think a 4029 Counter chip will do it but don't quote me on that.). Every time you close the circuit the signal on the input chip goes high, and it increments the value on the 4 or 8 bit output pins. All you have to do it connect a low power 5V DPDT relay switch to out pin 1. Everytime you push the button, pin 1 would alternate between on and off, causing the relay to switch back and forth, causing the switch machine to move back and forth.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
It looks neat, but wow the price. And it's HUGE - one of the usual advantages of servos is that they take a lot less space than a Tortoise, but Walthers chose to make their mounts extremely vertical.
If you like the idea, compare Tam Valley's various servo products. They have mounts that use the microswitch for frog polarity, or they also have a relay option. Fascia controllers similar to the Walthers ones, with adjustable color LEDs and pushbuttons. Some with DCC interfaces, some without.
No connection to Tam Valley, just a satisfied user of their products. Though I'm building my own this time.
I have looked at the walters solution. While it isn't a bad alternative, time you add up the cost, tortoise is a little cheaper and adds more flexibility. The walthers is more convient as everything you need is included.I just did 7 totoise turnouts, glued in place with caulk, and hooked it to a control panel with lights (red/green LED's) and I did it in 2 afternoons using DPDT switches and a 12V supply. That includes wiring up the frogs. And I still have the option of switch signal with the tortoise.
I am getting back into N scale after a few decade gap and am getting up to speed on switch motor and remote options. Has anyone used the new Walthers layout control system with DCC. Wondering how install and operation compares to Tortise options.
Jack