How to Use Hankscraft Motors to Control Switches

[starman]

About 12 years ago my son purchasd 7 Hankscraft motors from a local train modeling store in North Carolina.  The motors, sold and packaged by the store, were meant to be used for controlling switches.  My son changed jobs, moved, and never used the motors.  I now have the motors but don't know how to set them up on my layout.  The motors are stamped as 12v, R (I assume for clockwise drive?), 4 RPM, and the name and location of the manfacturer.  I am using a Digitrax system and I would like to incorporate these switch motors into my layout.  Some parts were included by the train store to attach to, and control, switches. 

Can anyone help me with information about how to control these motors to control my switches?  Thanks in advance for your information, suggestions, and any comments you may have.

[SouthPenn]

Look here.

[RR_Mel]

I did a Google Search for Hankscraft motor  and came up with this:

 

http://www.builders-in-scale.com/bis/sm-home.html

 

I presume it uses the Hankscraft motor.  A lot of good info on that site.

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[starman]

Thanks South Penn and Mel for your replies.  That web site was a wealth of information, however, I could not find wiring instructions I could download.  I have emailed Switch Master asking if they could direct me to a site where I could download wiring instructions or if they could send me the information.  I hope to hear from them soon.  I am modeling my version of N&Ws Lamberts Point Yard. I don't have an actual count (I afraid to count them) but I currently have somewhere between 25 and 30 switches.

Jack

[HO-Velo]

Starman,  I've a copy of the Switchmaster Inst. sheet from the late 80s.  Shoot me a PM and we can figure the best way to get a copy to you.

Regards, Peter

[starman]

Thanks, Peter, for your offer.  I hate to ask this, but how do you send a PM. 

[HO-Velo]

I hate to answer that I'm not so good with PMs either, but think I've sent U one sucessfully.

Peter

[trainnut1250]

I have at least 60 of these machines installed.

Here is the info you are looking for:

 

http://www.builders-in-scale.com/bis/sm-wire.html

Short answer: you will need a 12 VDC power supply (make sure its a regulated supply) to wire the motors up. Use a DPDT to throw the motors. The motors will reverse direction with reversal of polarity. These are stall motors which means you need the ON -ON DPDT switches. You will also need a current limiting resistor -  around 1K to 1,2 K will work for each motor.

 

There are other tricks but those are the basics,

 BTW: There are better ways to get frog polarity switching than what is described in South Penn's link...

Have fun,

 

Guy

 

 

[maxman]

There is also a Rix Rack 21:

https://rixproducts.com/product/rix-rax-21-for-hankscraft-display-motor/