My layout has a bunch of Kato turnouts, and I was planning to use their blue turnout controllers (hey, they're cheap, and easy to connect). Now that I've run the fascia along the rim of my layout, I can't stand the way these things look -- they're so massive that they detract from the layout. (In scale, imagine a turnout controller that's 35' long, 25' high, and 10' thick. OK, it's not on the layout, but it's close, and too distracting.) So I'm curious... what are the options? * Kato turnouts use one motor that's governed by polarity. You can't just substitute a momentary switch -- if you forget about "momentary," you've burned out your turnout motor. * I took one of the controllers apart. It is a truly ingenious contraption. The contact wires are suspended in a spring-tensioned array, so that moving the lever produces a momentary jolt, no matter what you do with the lever. So - who's found a successful -- and not so massive -- substitute? Cheers, Bryan
Hi, Bryan, This topic has been discussed quite often over on the Yahoo Group 'Kato Unitrack': http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KatoUnitrack/ Do a keyword search on the word 'momentary' and you'll find the that these guys over there have pretty well nailed down the answer. Hope this helps!
Bryan: If you're using DCC, you can use stationary decoders to control the Kato turnouts. My controller for all the operations on the JJJ&E is a Lenz LH 100 handheld device. It controls 36+ Kato turnouts. This controls all the operations on the JJJ&E. Stay cool and run steam....
All you need to expose of the controller is the lever and enough of the face for it to move freely. You can simply sink the controller behind a fascia.
BikerDad: The cutout in the fascia for that big lever must be quite large. How do you manage to do 36-40 of these? Stay cool and run steam....
PSG, I'm quite familiar with them, I've got three of them hooked up in a bank on my ops tray. I don't know how many Bryan has, nor whether they're all clustered in one location or spread out in proximity to the turnouts. I'm simply saying that covering the purdy blue bulk of the turnout controller is fairly simple. Distribution is up to the user. Depending on the thickness of the fascia, the cutout could be done as small as a 5/16" x 1" slot, that's all that's needed. There are a passle of methods for cutting it, from drilling a pair of 5/16" holes on each end and using a coping saw to connect the holes, to a router with a pattern. BTW, I will be going to using DCC to control my turnouts down the road, just not there yet.
what is/are the best bang for the buck (without suffering quality) DCC multiple switch stationary decoders to use inplace of the Kato blue boxes?
Bryan: You can always paint the Blue Kato controllers the color of your fascia so they blend in with fascia. Stay cool and run steam....
While I was at Kato I attended the National Design show and talked to engineers at the major switch manufacteurers. I found out that nobody makes a switch that functions like the Kato turnout control (i.e., non-center off dpdt momentary contact), and further they didn't have the slightest idea of how to design a toggle switch to do that. The Kato controlllers are fairly cheaply built and are less than desireable, but short of using momentary contact push buttons, a center off dpdt toggle with diode / led display circuitry to track last thrown position, you are stuck with them. Adding DCC to them is a solution but doesn't solve the position problem and makes each turnout $50 or more... try building a good sized layout with this approach!!! Charlie Vlk
Charlie: The cost of a Digitrax DS-52 stationary decoder which controls 2 Kato turnouts is $18.99. I can't see where you get the $50 number from. Stay cool and run steam.....
Well I suppose if you're talking MSRP with the #4's at $32.75 you could probably conjure up a $50 turnout, but like Bob says you can get a DCC Unitrack turnout for much less. The new Digitrax DS64 spec's out to about $12 per motor, but according to the documentation you can drive as many as four turnouts per output, (i.e. the double-XO or one or two pair of crossovers) so theoretically that's only $3 per turnout. I think you would have to add the cost of an external power brick to that scenario, however, so $3.25. I think it would be cool if Kato would release decoder equipped turnouts...Digitrax's DS51K1 will fit in the form factor and could probably be integrated for about a $12 hike in the MRSP.....around $8 discounted. (Digitrax's MSRP is $15, but I figure that in bulk they could whittle that down some) Since Kato and Digitrax seem to have become "bed buddies" then maybe it's not out of the question.
You can buy # 6 Kato turnouts for $23...and # 4 Kato turnouts for under $30. Most folks use #6 turnouts. The Kato control switch lists for $7.95 and sells for $5.95. Stay cool and run steam..... [ February 13, 2006, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
