For our large HO scale club layout, we use a computer power supply for lighting and switch motors. When the layout was wired, three power buses were ran under the benchwork -- DCC, 5 Volts DC, and 12 Volts DC.
While I know you probably only had electronic switch machines in mind, I think a good alternative to at least consider are BullFrog manual switch machines from Fast Tracks. They come in an easy to assemble kit form made from very nice quality laser cut wood. They are a also bit cheaper than Tortoise switch machines, with the actual switch machine costing $7, (or $9 if you really don't want to assemble it yourself, but it is very easy to put together.) and an 18" control rod and fascia knob costing $4, for a total of $11 per machine. They even come with an included SPDT switch to allow for powering frogs, if that is your desire. Just my .
farrellaa I switched to Tortise machines about 6 years ago and have found them to be not only reliable but easy to install. I mount mine on 3/8 ply bases and use the edge connectors to make electrical connection. I can make the connector 'harness' if you will at the workbench and then just plug it on the Tortise and connect the other end to a terminal strip as shown in the photo. BTW, I never paid more than $15 for a Tortise; just shop around. Had I not finished my turnout power requirements (32 turnouts) I would have looked into the servo products. This is just my justification for using the Tortise. One other point; if your turnouts are already installed, it would be a little more dificult to drill the actuator holes directly under the throwbar. -Bob
I switched to Tortise machines about 6 years ago and have found them to be not only reliable but easy to install. I mount mine on 3/8 ply bases and use the edge connectors to make electrical connection. I can make the connector 'harness' if you will at the workbench and then just plug it on the Tortise and connect the other end to a terminal strip as shown in the photo. BTW, I never paid more than $15 for a Tortise; just shop around. Had I not finished my turnout power requirements (32 turnouts) I would have looked into the servo products. This is just my justification for using the Tortise.
One other point; if your turnouts are already installed, it would be a little more dificult to drill the actuator holes directly under the throwbar.
-Bob
I use a clever way to install my Tortoise in...Nscale.
We all know it's quiet difficult to put the wire in the trowbar hole and don't speak about to be under the track, marking the fixing holes even if you use a base for the Tortoise, your pictures explain and give the answer about my explanations.
I found this clever way on an online RR magazine, In place to trace the fixing holes of the tortoise by underneath they trace them by upside around the track.
You just need to build a little jig to drill the holes, a piece of plywood where the drill template of the Tortoise is glued, the fixing hole are drilled and in the place of the wire activator a wire of the same size is glued just showing a 1/2"outside the plywood. This wire is placed in the middle position of the travel of the Tortoise.
First you temporarely place the turnout in his position , mark and drill the the trowbar hole.
By upside put the wire of the jig in the trowbar which is blocked in the middle position and let the small plywood jig on the track, check clearences and drill or mark the four holes into the roadbed, take of the jig and drill by upside the four fixing holes trough the roadbed.
Just go underneath and fix the Tortoise whith the drilled holes, so simple.
Thought I'd throw in a word or two or three about Micro-Mark's Switch Machine. I have a mix of Atlas, Peco and SM on my N scale layout. I find the SM easy to install, just a hole through to the throw bar and a single screw to secure the machine. My biggest problem is aligning it so that it moves at right angles to the rails and not at some odd angle. They don't take up much room under the layout. The biggest disadvantage is that they have no auxiliary contacts. Here the Tortoise has them all beat. The other disadvantage is that they draw a lot more current compared to the Tortoise--if I remember the numbers correctly 65 mA vs. 15 mA. However, I've found that I can remove the power after the turnout is thrown and they will keep the points solidly against the stock rail, at least for N scale points. I suspect it would be the same for HO. But, to each his own. All the different types of switch machines have their advantages and disadvantages.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
caboose62At a cost of $18.00 each for Tortoise, and only $9.00 for Peco. Justify the extra cost? Thanks
LION has no budget. Him has no income. Him must ask zookeeper for any parts him needs. Zookeepers are tight with money. Good thing they are free with the wildebeests, but then it may be that they have a vested interest in keeping their LIONS un-hungry as it were.
Still, LION thinks this is not the place to skimp: LIONS have big furry paws (not to mention cateracts) that make precise placements of fussy square motors highly problematic. Tortoise just needs a blob of silicone caulk and it will allow you to position it perfectly, and will hold the machine untill you pull it off.
Wire is expensive, ONE wire instead of two saves you 50 percent on your cabling costs. With 300 conductors this is BIG savings.
ROAR
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Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS