Does the Walthers machine change polarity when switch is thrown? Was advised Tortoises do.
The page on Walthers' website says that the product includes "Two built-in 5A switches to power turnout frogs, signals, track blocks and more". I assume the internal switches do the same job that the #2 and #3 posts on the Tortoise do, but I cannot say for sure since I haven't used one of the Walthers switch machines. Maybe someone else can say from experience.
I cannot imagine that they would have all the technological features that they do and not have any mechanism for doing the one thing that for certain needs to be done upon throwing the bar.
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
Tortoises can be wired to reverse polarity of the frog rails. It's not necessary if you have insulated frogs. I've used them both ways depending on the type of turnout I put them on. If it's an Atlas Custom Line, which a majority of my turnouts are, I don't bother. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gone exclusively with Tortoise machines and powered all my frogs but it would cost too much in time and expense to retrofit all my turnouts.
As for the new Walthers turnouts, I have no experience with them.
1arfarf3Does the Walthers machine change polarity when switch is thrown? Was advised Tortoises do.
looks like the Walthers switch machine has two micro switches which toggle when the switch machine position changes comparable to a Tortoise. each microswitch is a SPDT.
don't understand the header connections
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
gregcdon't understand the header connections
Walthers_turnout-servo by Edmund, on Flickr
https://www.walthers.com/products/walthers-control-system/layout-control-system
Good Luck, Ed
i saw that diagram. don't believe the header pins are connected to the micro switches and don't understand all the labels and what their intended purposes are
gregc don't understand all the labels and what their intended purposes are
They're all explained in the "Full Instructions" pdf linked to on the Walther's product page for the switch machine.
I have five Walthers switch machines. They were very easy to wire, and to connect to a control panel for lights and controls.
If I can do that, they must be simple to use.
York1 John