Tortoise Switch Machines

[Anonymous]

Does anyone here know if you can use Tortoise Switch Machines with Atlas "o" switches?

If so, is there anything I should know about installing them?

Thanks for all your help.

Joe

[Anonymous]

Yes you can---works with any turnout having a throwbar.
You will need a DC power supply (Tortoise are DC "stall" motors) or cheap Radio Shack diodes in the line to convert if using AC power to operate.

As I recall Jim Barrett's Backshop series has a segment on installing Tortoise.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Leonard.....I'll look for that Backshop series.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Leonard,
Will the diode trick work for other DC accessories? Walther's makes a great looking oil pump that runs off of DC. I would rather run it from my AC accessories circut.

Thanking you in advance for your help.

[4kitties]

Pardon my jumping in, yes the diode trick will work with other DC accessories. I suspect the Walthers oil pump has a small DC can motor. It might run a bit smoother and quieter on full-wave DC rather than the half-wave DC you get from a single diode. If you want to experiment, try a 1-amp bridge rectifier rated at least 50 PIV (peak inverse volts). Higher current and voltage ratings (e.g. 3 amps at 100 PIV) never hurt and don't cost much more. These devices are available at Radio Shack and online from other suppliers. A bridge is easy to connect - AC in on 2 wires, DC out on the other 2. Just make sure you don't exceed the rated voltage of the accessory. Good luck.