Sorry if this seems rediculously basic but I have a question about some wiring involving Tortoise switch machines. In hooking up some switches I have the wiring down from the DPDT toggle to the switch machine (terminals 1 and 8) as well as from the frog (Fast track turnouts)(terminal 4 on machine) so the toggle works to throw the switch. However, what is the purpose of the wires from the bus tracks to terminals two and three of the Tortoise as I am seeing on some wiring diagrams? Are those to notify the frog as to polarity changes of the bus tracks - or some other function?
Thanks
The terminals on the Tortoise you're using to power the frog form a SPDT toggle. The frog by itself has no power, so the bus wires provide the power, and the Tortoise selects which bus wire connects to the frog.
I don't even try to figure out which bus wire connection goes where. I connect then up, and then test the frog with a meter. Since I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right, I'm only wrong 90% of the time.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasleySince I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right, I'm only wrong 90% of the time.
Me too!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks for your reply.
Okay, think I am understanding: As the switch is thrown, the bus wires that the frog feeds off of also need to change. The bus wires coming in gives the machine the power needed. And that info is then sent out via the wire to the frog. Nothing to do with polarty changes.
reasearchhoundwhat is the purpose of the wires from the bus tracks to terminals two and three of the Tortoise as I am seeing on some wiring diagrams? Are those to notify the frog as to polarity changes of the bus tracks - or some other function?
the switch contacts can be used for many purposes. wiring track power to pins 2 and 3 and an uninsulated frog to pin 4 is one use
other uses include control a signal or used to indicate switch position to some centralized controller (e.g. CTC)
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
MisterBeasley I don't even try to figure out which bus wire connection goes where. I connect then up, and then test the frog with a meter. Since I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right, I'm only wrong 90% of the time.
Rich
Alton Junction
Bus wires, blinds, and shirts. Why is it you put a shirt into the washing machine right side out and it comes out of the dryer inside out, but if you put a shirt into the washing machine inside out it comes out of the dryer inside out? At least 90% of the time that is.
Thanks for making me laugh out loud. I needed that.
Robert
LOL. Why is that? Same thing when I open the blinds each morning or close them each night. It requires me to grasp one of two cords which form a loop. As you say, I have a 50/50 chance of getting it right, I'm only wrong 90% of the time.
[/quote]
Sorry to remain off topic but one more example of statistical probabilities. When I golf, I carry 4 bendable white plastic tees in my pants pocket. I also carry one tan wood tee which I break in two for par 3 tee shots with an iron. Golfers will understand that.
Statistically, when I reach into my pocket for a white bendable plastic tee, there should be 4 out of 5 chances that I will pull out a white bendable plastic tee. Wrongo! I always wind up with the tan wood tee in my hand.
If you do all th mechanicla hookup first, then move the Tortoise by hand to one side, it's easy to see by the turnout rail alignment which side the frog needs to connect to - now before attaching the feed wire to the Tortoise, use a multimeter on continuity to see which side is closed relative to the center contact going to the frog. Now you know BEFORE soldering the wire on which bus wire goes to which side.
And I bet if you actually marked down somewhere which tee you pull out, over the longer term it will be pretty close to that 4/5. Short term 'runs' are how casinos lure people in - the odds are always stacked against you, but sometimes you do get a short period which seems to defy the odds. And then eventually things swing back and all those winnings you made - are gone. Poof!
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Dunno, Randy, once out of sheer boredom, I started flipping a coin. I kept track of heads and tails. I forget which side of the coin showed up more often, but I do recall that the results over time were nowhere near 50/50.
ROBERT BRABANDWhy is it you put a shirt into the washing machine right side out and it comes out of the dryer inside out, but if you put a shirt into the washing machine inside out it comes out of the dryer inside out?
Not sure about shirts. But I know underware has this same problem, and I was told one time that these items are knitted inside out. So when they are washed and dried they try to return to their original form. In humans they call this returning to childhood.