Are are kato 2-503 and 2-504 switch machines interchangeable?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

It seems like anytime I need a couple, they are OOS on the one I need, but plenty f the other. I have 2 side by side right now, and they appear identical, with the exception of which end the wire comes out of. It LOOKS like they should be interchangeable. Anyone know?

2

Those clip on to the side of the turnout and are specific to each turnout…

Midwest Model RR has both of them in stock…

3

I get that. I just bought 5 RH - they were out of stock everywhere until 2 weeks ago.

But looking at them, the APPEAR interchangeable. I guess I’ll test them out tomorrow.

4

This is what the net says:

Edit:

As per below, the net is incorrect. I believe that it was an AI generated avswer.

5

Well… The net is mistaken?

As you can see:

https://lombardhobby.com/kato-ho-unitrack-2-504-right-hand-dc-turnout-machine-1-pc/

https://lombardhobby.com/kato-ho-unitrack-2-503-left-hand-dc-turnout-machine-1-pc/

6

Badly. The actual Kato boxes are clearly labeled ‘left’ for 2-503 and ‘right’ for 2-504. That’s pretty definitive.

What is “the net” reference for that piece of business?

7

Now as to the difference between the 2-503 and the 2-504, they are not interchangeable, at least according to the KATO USA representative who was kind enough to return my call to answer my question.

He said the 2-503 is for left hand, and the 2-504 is right hand.

I mentioned to him that the 2-504 does not appear on the KATO website. He said that the website had been recently re-done, and they would need to get that corrected.

8

I believe Maxman originally did an internet search or question about it, and posted the reply he got that said that they were interchangeable.

When BillS posted his (correct) answer, Maxman realized the answer he posted was wrong, so he edited the part of his reply showing what the net said.

9

OK, here’s the answer. It’s not often that AI AND a manufacturer’s rep are mistaken (sort of) on the same day!

I tested them last night. They ARE interchangeable with 2 caveats:

  1. When you use the LH in the RH turnout (or vice-versa), the wire exits from the “other end” of the machine. I can’t imaging that would matter to anyone, but it does.

  2. If you use them interchangeably, they are wired in reverse polarity. In my case, I use DPDT Momentary marine switches, so it doesn’t matter. If you use Kato’s switch levers, you might want to swap the wires. In other words, with one machine pushing the switch up moves the frog right, and with the other it moves the frog left.

For most folks, they are for all practical purposes interchangeable. They fit fine. In my case, I invariably have an extra right and need a left, or I have an extra left (or 3) and need a right. Most of my turnouts are manual. I only put machines on the harder to reach ones.

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10

Well, that’s good to know.

So much for trying to be helpful. Next time I’ll just mmob.

11

Max, really, it’s no problem. I find it amusing, actually. I love AI, and I get lots of good info from it. But occasionally, it’s just wrong. And technically, the manufacturer’s rep is right. To use as intended by the manufacturer, with their toggle switches, you would have to cut the 2 wires and flip them.

I appreciate the help. I’m a newbie, after being out of the hobby for 25 years.

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