Video above or ( HERE ) shows how I test the turnouts I've made on the layout after first checking them on a separate turnout tester I also use. The first tester shows up any flaws in making the turnout usually. Testing on the layout with the turnout connected to a servo is the real test though. I normally test with a 4 axle, 6 axle and an 8 axle loco. The second two pairs of axles on the 8 axle U50 will normally derail at the slightest track/turnout imperfection so if it goes through I feel good about the turnout. You can find.... ... more info on the first tester (above) I use here ( http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork... ). The tester shown in the video is basically the switch box that you can build to work with the servo and servo controller that are used for each turnout. I added a second box that has an on/off toggle switch on it to turn the power on and off for the tester. Power comes from a small 110v to 9v power supply I had. It plugs into the 110 at the side of the layout and the cord from it goes to the couple dollar buck converter you can see also on the block of wood. It lowers the 9 volts to the 5 volts that are needed for the servo. I also added a second latching on/off push button switch to the top of the switch box (black). Normally to operate the switch box you throw the toggle that selects the desired route. Next you push the momentary red pushbutton switch. Hold it for a second or two and the servo throws the turnout. Release the momentary switch and now the power is off to the servo controller and the servo and the throwbar is held in place. The black pushbutton switch when pushed sends current to the servo controller and servo until turned off. You can use that switch when adjusting the amount of throw the servo is executing on the throw bar. You do that with two pots on the servo controller. Not having to push the red pushbutton frees up a hand to make those adjustments. Once made you can use another permanent switch box for the turnout's control or mount the toggle and push button switches in a control panel. More about servo turnout control for under $10 per turnout and wiring diagrams for the switch box and servo controller here ( http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Servo%20C... ). Sumner
Thanks, what were you thinking? I'm always open to suggestions. I have beefed up the 3D printed servo mounts some and added the option for a second limit switch. I believe quite a few people are using them now. With the mounting tools you can also print I think they mount way easier that most of the commercial ones I've seen. I can mount a servo by myself in about 2 minutes and it is centered on the throwbar the first time. I changed the wiring on the cheap servo controller once but didn't find that it was necessary so went back to the two single wires one has to add along with the additional pot. I need to be able to throw two servos in opposite directions for some cross-overs from a single control switch and haven't done it but looks like it will be very easy to do. Might go out and try that out right now. I do need to make the documentation clearer and simpler to understand. I'll work on that. So not sure what other mods you might be thinking about but let me know, Sumner
had nothing in mind in particular, just in general ... as far as docs are concerned, i don't usually read them unless there is a problem i can't figure out by myself ..
Thanks and I can see that you don't need much in documentation for something like this. Probably the case for most people that will give it a go. I did go out and wire this up. It proved to be very simple and I'll run 4 servos off one panel switch for my double crossovers and 2 for my single crossovers. I'll put the wiring up for that when I get around to working on the documentation. I did shoot a video of the results that I'll put up soon. Sumner
