Simple as that.
Atlas Code 83 Wyes are on backorder. I may be able to get some Walthers or other Wyes sooner. Can Walterhs or Peco be used with the Atlas switch machines?
Thanks.
I suppose it would work, with some limitations. The surface-mount machines by Atlas are all designed to mount directly to the turnout. From playing with a couple of Atlas snap-switches, I’ve observed that the somewhat squishy mounting of the point rails on the throwbar is actually necessary to work with the Atlas machine as designed. If you were to put an Atlas machine on a Walthers turnout, you would need to figure out some sort of mounting and linkage, since they’re not designed for each other.
A Peco turnout comes with a built-in spring which holds the point rails against the stock rails. This is the reason for the solid performance of Pecos. I don’t think the Atlas machines have enough power to throw the points over against the tension of that spring. You could remove the spring, but that takes away a lot of the value of Peco’s design.
If you are using something like 3/4 inch plywood as sub-roadbed, you could use one of the Atlas under-table machines with a Walthers turnout.
If you get a Peco turnout, you might as well get a Peco switch machine to go with it. They are designed to mount directly to the Peco turnout, on the underside, and have the power to throw the points. Peco switch machines use more power than Atlas, and a Capacitive Discharge (CD) circuit is recommended. You can use the same circuit on your Atlas machines, which will make them operate better, too.
I have a bunch of Atlas turnouts operated by Atlas machines, and a few Pecos as well. But, for the new portion of my layout I’ve decided to go with Walthers turnouts driven by Tortoise machines. As a serious model railroader, you owe it to yourself to try a Tortoise on your own layout, just to see what they’re like. This might be a good opportunity.
Are you locked into a single source of supply? The stock shortage is not nationwide - at least not yet. Two weeks ago I was looking at buying 4 Atlas code 83 wyes for a micro-layout and my LHS had them in stock, albeit at full retail.
Answering your question, Atlas switch machines are pretty wimpy in general - and as a result draw lower current than other makes of twin coil machines. The points have to throw with relatively low effort to be moved by an Atlas machine. The Atlas under-the-table is the strongest of their line of switch machines, and probably the easiest to adapt.
Unless you remove the built-in toggle spring of a Peco turnout, the spring resistance will be too high for the Atlas switch machine to overcome.
To get the maximum out of an Atlas (or any twin coil) switch machine without fear of burning out the coils and/or melting the plastic case, a Capacitive Discharge power supply is highly recommended. You can build your own CD unit very easily or buy RTR from Circuitron.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
check NHS hobbies, $11.19 per wye
Thanks for the info. That is a good price.
Gee, I have never thought of the need for a CD unit with the Atlas motors. I have been using them for 4 years now with no problem…that is why I wanted to continue on with them.
Below is an image of my old layout with 26 snap switches and regular Atlas motors…and nary a problem. The expansion…out of the picture to the right…has another 28 Atlas Custom Line #6 switches and 4 Wyes with the same motors and I expect no problems from them either.
I am sticking with that format as I want the new control panel to match the two exisiting ones.
As far as the look of them…I am using 2" foam over 1/2" plywood and didn’t want to fuss with 32 under the table mounts and whatever adaptions they would need (plus the added expense). Besides, if those O gauge people can live with that 3rd rail, I can live with the Atlas switch motors on the surface (besides, I can disguise many of them with shrubbery)
If you’re planning to use atlas machines I would recomend to buy a bunch of them as they have the tendency to melt! Really, try the tortoises, once you try one you’ll never think of any other switch machine. As for your question, maybe the under the table ones will work with the walthers/shinohara, but I don’t think they’ll work with the Peco ones.
Houston, I think we have a problem…
Actually, it’s not the Atlas switch machines that are the problem. I have some on my layout that are 50 years old, and they still work fine. But, looking at the picture, you’ve got an accident waiting to happen. It’s those Atlas pushbuttons, with the blue buttons on the black housing. These have a bad track record, and unfortunately, the failure mode is often to stick in the ON position. When that happens, you get constant power through a switch machine, something they’re not designed for. You will notice an unpleasant odor, but by that time one of your machines is toast.
Again, a CD circuit is the key. Not only does it give a stronger kick when you hit the button, it also limits the current after the button is pushed. So, if the button sticks, only a weak current flows, thus saving the switch machine.
You can buy a CD circuit for around $30, or google up a circuit and build one for $5 in Radio $hack parts. It’s 2 resistors and 2 capacitors. If you’re running it on an AC power supply, add a bridge rectifier for about a buck.
Well, I’ll take your advice. I thought you guys meant I need this CD circuit for every switch. I take it that is not true?
Well, I am open to suggestions…such as a link to a picture of a CD circuit and an idea as to just where the bridge rectifier would go on the system.
Thanks again… as I say, I used the setup you see there for three years without one “sticky” problem, and I plan to add another panel with even more of those little controllers…but I will listen to your experience as it has always stood me in good stead before, Mr. B.
My question to you is, why would you want to? I used them on my first layout, and I noticed that the Atlas switch machines were rough on turnouts. That “10 megaton” CLACK really does a job on pivot points.
I guess the first reason is cost. Not counting spending money for mounts for tortoise switches, I saved $417 on switch motors by going with Atlas remote motors vs tortoise switches for my 58 turnouts. (would have been $957 by my reckoning for 58 tortoise motors vs the $570 for Atlas motors)
And I don’t know much about them, but if the Circuitron or other tortoise type motors require those $9 motor mounts I saved another $522.
So I guess my reason is saving somewhere between $400 and $950 for other things on the layout…like a new DCC 130 foot turntable and Digitrax Dual remote throttle for that money.
And I have never had a problem with the Atlas switches or motors.