B. Bryce I use all Peco turnouts on my layout and have never had a single problem. I use some PL13 switches with the PL10 solonoids and have not had problems with them as of yet either. One thing I will say is, all of my Peco solonioids are powered from NCE's Snap-it switch motor controllers, which come equipped with CD units. If the onboard CD is not enough, you can patch in a larger one, but I have never had to do this. The turnout snaps quickly, firmly and positively every time. I power the Snap-It card from the rails so I have DCC control of the turnout from my NCE Powercab, I have installed local push button control switches to operate the turnout locally, which simply operates the Snap-It board via the push buttons instead of the Powercab. I can also operate the turnouts manually if I desire. Completely happy with this setup. The cards are not expensive and if you buy one or two every week or so, you will not even notice it.
I use all Peco turnouts on my layout and have never had a single problem. I use some PL13 switches with the PL10 solonoids and have not had problems with them as of yet either. One thing I will say is, all of my Peco solonioids are powered from NCE's Snap-it switch motor controllers, which come equipped with CD units. If the onboard CD is not enough, you can patch in a larger one, but I have never had to do this. The turnout snaps quickly, firmly and positively every time. I power the Snap-It card from the rails so I have DCC control of the turnout from my NCE Powercab, I have installed local push button control switches to operate the turnout locally, which simply operates the Snap-It board via the push buttons instead of the Powercab. I can also operate the turnouts manually if I desire. Completely happy with this setup. The cards are not expensive and if you buy one or two every week or so, you will not even notice it.
These Snap-it units cost about $20 each?https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/nce-524115-snap-it-accessory-switch-machine-decoder/
Add that to the price of the solonoid and the turnout itself, and you are talking an expensive package per turnout.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Anything that is '1 per turnout' is going to be relatively espensive - the firware in the device and most of the hardware is capable of operating a lot more than one, so units that can operate multiple solenoids are significantly cheaper on a per turnout basis. EG, Digitrax DS64, it's $48 and runs 4, so $12 each instead of $20. And it still has the local buttons.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It is assuming you already have the turnout and the turnout motor, or you would not need it to start with. The Snap-it, at about 18-20 bucks is something that works, and it's still only about 5-10 % the cost of a good DCC/Sound Locomotive. That's what you pay for automation. Just don't buy 10 at once. Spread it out over some time and you won't even see it. You can also buy the Snap-it Quad for about 55-60 bucks. Better than 80.
P.S.
If you think this is bad, wait until you see what it cost to install working signals!!!
'Cleaning Up' Peco PL10 switch controllers?Has anyone had the occassion to need to 'clean up' older, used controllers? I got a whole box of them recently that probably came off someones layout, and then set around for quite awhile. Some work perfectly smooth, and others are the slightest bit stiff. Could they be soaked in something, then left to dry out totally before use.?,....somthing like that CRC electronic cleaner??