I'm working on a relay matrix for a block signal setup that will operate a diverging route indication. This requires a switch or contacts of some kind at the turnout, just a normally open for what I am doing. I will be needing 3 turnout motors so I don't mind buying one with contacts. My last experiences were with Atlas switch machines and I despised those things, eventually went all manual ground throws...that was all 25 years ago. I do not want to incorporate this to DCC, is there a good new thing out there or should I simply order up a tortoise like the "pro's did 25 year ago?
The tortoise will work. I don't suppose you have a 3D printer? I have servo mounts.... .... that you can put two limit switches on, one for frog polarity and the other for something like what you need. You could make a servo mount also out of aluminum angle. One can also control the servo near the turnout or on a control panel (along as it isn't real far away) with a cheap servo controller that will let you set the throw on the throwbar so it isn't overpowered by the servo. An easy to build switch box will throw the turnout and show the current route. Can do all of that for under $10 (servo, servo controller, switch box and servo mount and limit switches.... https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Servo%20Control/Servo%20Control-Index.html Sumner
That is very cool, was into RC cars for awhile so familiar with the setup. Probably my best bet for the bracket is to draw one up in CAD and have some laser cut and bent from plate-my workplace has a laser table. So you add a second pot to the servo controller to have endpoint adjustment both ways if I am understanding that correctly? I think for now, the limit switch alone will suffice for the signal system test work, but this servo turnout control is great thank you! Any reason the DPDT and momentary switch can't be swapped for a momentary on-off-on DPDT switch?
You mentioned using ground throws.........Caboose has a version that is intended for powering frogs. It should be pretty easy to make it power something else. A bit "old school", but considerably cheaper than a tortoise, and a quick replacement for your existing throws assuming you're using Caboose throws already.
Yes the second pot allows positioning the servo arm in both directions. Be sure to add the resistor as shown above. Without it one the controller can be destroyed in some cases while setting the throw up. I adjust them.... ... to get close before installing them as shown above. If you can get the mounts printed there are some tools that you can also have printed that make mounting the servo the first time by yourself really easy .... Sumner
Thinking about doing a side-mount underneath with a piece of bent wire to the underside of the drawbar. I'm going to be doing a mock-up on a piece of plywood and try to get the whole thing working together.
I've seen those, is that a quality unit? Everything I own is all wheels driven all wheels pickup so I don't think I'll need to worry about the frogs, planned to buy insul-frog turnouts. I did order some of the limit switches for sumners turnout servo setup just to setup the mock-up off the throw bar.
I've had good luck with them.........they are basic 3 wire design. one contact goes to left rail, one to right rail and center goes to the frog. You do need to make a hole for the leads to stick thru. The caboose throws have been around for a long time, so the design is pretty well tested, but we're talking about something that costs less than $5, so I'm not sure how to apply the term "quality".
The parts for the contacts looked cheesy to me, but admit I've never built one of the throws with contacts.
