I am looking at purchasing Peco power switches but I need some help. The power switches sort of come in regular, and extra long (the wire to trip the turnout). My question is this, how long is the extra long wire (please note, it doesn't say extra long on the package, but something else). I can't mount the motor directly to the turnout as you do with the regular motor with regular wire. I will need a wire long enough for about 1 1/2 inches, maybe a bit shorter, but not by much.
Rick are you talking about the twin coil switch machines that Peco offers ? As of my experience I'd strongly recommend to keep your hands off. Had nothing but troubles with them. By now all of these switch machines are removed and replaced with slow motion switch machines. However, I can't answer your question. As far as I remember there's a thin wire connecting the switch machine with the switch. It's rather soft and flexible. It might be too soft to properly do the switching if more than 1/2 long. You could enforce it by using a brass tube fitting over the wire. Do you have any chance to reduce the 1 1/2" to under 1" ? hope this helps a bit
I just measured the one I bought recently. The pin (wire) is about 3 cm over the mounting pins., or about 3.5 cm over the coil. Is this information useful for you?? Christoph
I am curious as to other's experience of the Peco switch machine as Sandro indicates problems with them. The Peco machine's available here have two lenghts of wire to chose from, sort of regular and long. I'm not sure if 3.5 is regular or long but yes that is helpful, especially if it is the regular one.
Rick, I would say that the measurements given by Christoph are for the extended pin motor (Peco nr. PL10E). Also not sure what problems Sandro has been experiencing. I have used Peco point motors for many, many years without problems. Admittedly they are not as sophisticated as the slow-action varieties........but neither are they as expensive !!! John. [ 20. October 2002, 21:12: Message edited by: John Whitby ]
ok, let me point out some of the problems I had with Peco's twin-coil switch machines : - some just went to one side. both coils are working. Just could'nt make them switching in both directions. - some were to weak to properly switch - if not used for some months some of them stuck. Needed to be unmounted and cleaned. - some I simply fryed. funny as all are running on the same voltage. Another thing is the noise created when switching. I simply don't like the click-clack. However, this I don't call a problem, just a dis-like.
I have direct mounter peco points motors on my layout and do not have a problem with them. The secret to reliable operation is you MUST use a capacitor discharge unit to provide both high voltage and high current for a very short time. The discharge unit prevents the coils burningout as it only provide power for a limited amount of time preventing excessive current burnng out the coils. The discharge unit can be bought from hobby shops or are simple projects to make.
I have used Peco motors on some switches in H0 scale. My father built a capacitor discharge device to operate two motors in parallel, worked fine. A single Peco motor was just switched with AC from a separate lighting power supply, it worked, but I think a capacitor discharge unit is preferrable. My new layout (in N) will be mostly Peco switches with Peco motors . Christoph
My buddy on his Kettle Valley HO layout has used Tenshodo switch machines for years, and they don't burn out. He has recommended I use these. Sometimes at shows you can find them as low as $5 apparently. But my understanding is that the new one's go under a different name now... does anyone know?
