Selonoid vs. motorized switch machines (& vs. air)

[Big_Boy_4005]

Here's what I use Dave. As always mall leftovers. This was custom built using mostly off the shelf stuff. The motor and limit switches were picked up surplus, the traveler, the base, and the coupling were custom machined. When you combine these with the pushrod linkage, that we discussed in another thread, you end up with a very easy to install, and reliable system.

[Anonymous]

is there any companys that make a switch machine compatible with lionel 1122 manual switches?[?]

[Anonymous]

I'm using mostly Tortoise machine and I'm very pleased with them. I had two NJI selonoid machines and have replaced one with a Tortoise. I hardly use the other NJI. I like the slow smooth action or the Tortoise. I took one apart and there is no clutch or limit switch. The motor just runs until the mechanism reaches the end of the stroke and then just stall in that position continually drawing a small amount of power.

I'm using a few DZ1000 machines on the upper level. Some are over other tracks. Unlike the Tortoise, they have a limit switch that shuts off power when the end of stroke is reached. I had a head on colision that broke a coupler when one limit switch killed the power before reaching end of stroke. I'm replacing a couple of DZ machines with Tortoise because I prefer the action and the auxillary contacts for operating relays.

[lionelsoni]

1. Manual switches can be operated directly or remotely, using something like a choke cable, wires, or rods and bell cranks.

2. A switch machine can also be built using a single coil instead of two solenoids, to move an armature, much like a relay. This kind must be continually energized in one of the two positions.

Most solenoid machines have some provision for locking the points into position. The Lionel O switches have a "lock hinge" that provides a detent. The older O27 switches use an over-center connection to the pinion of a rack-and-pinion arrangement. The newer ones have a plastic cam plate.

3. Tortoises are "stall-motor" machines. There is no clutch. Instead, the motor simply stops when it reaches the limit of travel. The motor is designed to withstand this.

5. I have also seen a switch machine that used heated nichrome wire to move the points. This strikes me as a little bit dangerous.

[FJ and G]

Elliot,

Air is the least used method. There's a nice website out there on just such a system. My understanding that the pressure is always on, thus, the points are always being held in position.

Some notable modelers like Tony Lash, use the system.

Hmmmmmm. I'm just wondering out loud if the same air compressor that powers your turnouts could power an airbrush (my daughter bought me an Aztec air brush for my birthday last year and it came with a can of air but I'd like to eventually acquire a compressor).


dav


Oh, btw, I've seen some ingenious manual control switches, using clutch cables and an assortment of other contraptions. I actually prefer manual, but when I just want to sit back and watch the trains run, it's nice to have an automatic (non-derail) type turnout on the turnout loops so the trains can be run in a hands-off mode.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I use a screw drive machine, which works very well. Positive full closure, automatic shut off, built in contacts, no problems.

With twin coils you run the risk of frying them.

Stall motors work well too, but can be trickier to install.

I've never tried air, how do you activate that electrically? Is it possible?

Dave it sounds like you and I are on the "same track" .[swg]

[FJ and G]

As I understand it, there are basically 3 types of switch machines.

1. 5-finger method (manual)

2. Selonoid (2 magnetic coils wrapped around a steel rod)

3. Switch machines like Tortoise and several others.

As I understand it, the selonoid is basically an all or nothing method. Once you activate the coils, the rod basically has one shot at bringing the point rails together with the outside rail.

Switch machines like tortoise have an automatic clutch or some sort of gizmo that gives the motor a few whirls to secure the point rail to its mating rail; then the clutch disengages. The advantage is that extra nudge is so the point rail (a) actually closes the gap, and (b) doesn't hit and then bounce back a bit; thus preventing the train from "picking the points"

Oh, & btw, I may have forgotten, but I believe there are several other nifty types of switch machines.

4. The air controlled one are really sweet because they keep the point rail secured in the proper position by the force of air. The down side to the system is that it's a bit pricey; but relative to the high cost of locomotives, its extra cost may not be too high.

I'm planning for manual switches to spurs and automatic, motorized types for the mainline reverse loops and turnouts leading to the lower level of the layout. I haven't decided yet which motorized unit is best and least costly. Would be interested in finding some comparisons.

dave vergun