Tortoise Remote Mounts

[smugglervt]

Thinking about using Tortoise Remote Mounts to manipulate two Atlas Code 83 Wyes on my two reversing loops. The Wyes are elevated on 4" of foam attached to a 1/2" plywood base. Anyone try these mounts in a similiar situation and did they function as desired?

Thanks - Jim

[MisterBeasley]

I've got a Tortoise mounted to plywood and almost that much foam.  I mounted it directly below the turnout.  The supplied wire was too short, of course, so I got something like .030 music wire from the hardware store.  It works fine, and no special linkage is required.

While you're at the hardware store, though, pick up a pair of heavy duty wire cutters if you don't have them.  Music wire of even that thickness is way too thick to cut with light wire snippers we use for electrical work.

[smugglervt]

I already learned that lesson when connecting some Caboose Hobby manual throws. Ruined a good pair of nippers.

How large a hole did you have to drill through the layout to get the wire to sufficiently throw the turnout?

Thanks - Jim

[MisterBeasley]

I used about a 3/8 inch hole, maybe a bit larger.  The problem is always one of alignment, and having a larger hole just makes that easier.  The hole doesn't need to be that big, really, but I have a hard time lining up the Tortoise so that the wire is exactly centered.

[BroadwayLion]

smugglervt

Thinking about using Tortoise Remote Mounts to manipulate two Atlas Code 83 Wyes on my two reversing loops. The Wyes are elevated on 4" of foam attached to a 1/2" plywood base. Anyone try these mounts in a similiar situation and did they function as desired?

Thanks - Jim

 

 

SEE the LION's Website : The LION and the TORTOISE

 

ROAR

[NP01]

FYI, the tortoise is very effective when mounted on top of the layout as well. Hide it inside a building!

[da1]

Jim.

I used two Trotoise remote mounts on my layout in locations where the clearance did not allow the motor to be directly under the turnout.  The remote mount allowed the motor to 12-18" away from the location.

The challenges of mounting and aligning the remote actuator and wire were unchanged from mounting the motor directly under the turnout.  Further, I expect the challenges of installing the actuator under several inches of subroadbed will be the same with either method.

You may consider mounting the remote actuator above the layout beside the turnout and hiding it with scenic elements.  Then route the aircraft cable and tube to the motor located under the layout.

Dwayne A

[smugglervt]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the space to locate the tortoises beneath the turnout, I was just worried that the actuator might have difficulty throwing the rails thru 4" of foam. The Wye's are basically on a raised ridge with no space for hiding the switch machines. I'm going to try mounting them normally and see how it goes. If it doesn't work then I'll try another way.

Thanks again for the various ideas.

Jim

[rrinker]

 SHould be fine. I used servos instead of Tortoises, but I had 2 layers of 2" foam, plus 1/4" plywood, plus cork roadbed, between the servo and the throwbar. No problems with .037 wire.

                    --Randy