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Design procedure for yard ladder control using slow-motion switch motors
This is the kind of subject I find most interesting and needs a time to consider. Logic has always been one of my top interests.
Having just about completed my first layout, I wish I had this info at the start. Great information thanks.
Thanks for the tutorial. I printed it out but cannot read the figures because my eyes are too old. If you made it available as a PDF file then I could enlarge the diagrams. Remember some of us need magnifying glasses to model.
Just finishing up with my 20 track yard. What timing! Thanks for a very informative and useful article, even for my large facility.
I like this article. It is concise and accurate. I agree with Marty Mason; the designations on the schematics are too small for our “old” eyes.
Tha article in my August 2011, MR is excellant.
Thank you.
Not having used Tortoise switch machines I am confused about how to wire them for this application. In the article on Fig. 4 it shows pins 1 and 8 for each Tortoise switch machine, I understand that - but pins 2, 3 and 4 listed underneath in the Fig. 4 diagram is what confuses me; are those the pins on that specific switch machine? Do pin 2 and 3 route their output through internal Tortoise switch machine motion to pin 4? If that is the case then it would follow pin 4 of each machine would be wired to pin 8 of the next machine for the Fig. 4 application. OR… is the pin 2, 3, 4 contacts some kind of terminal board that is activated by the motion of the tortoise switch wiper arm (the same one that throws the turnout)? Thanks - Mike
I agree with Marty Mason.
Thomas, this is a tremendous article! I seriously want to build this yard ladder electrical control system but as Mr. Mason from Georgia stated, I can’t see the diagram figures because they are too small. Please consider putting all the diagrams figures as numbered in a PDF. This will allow us to print out those separately from the text. I need the help and would be most appreciative.
Kudos on a great article!
With Internet Explorer as my browser, I could click on the magnification function (the magnifying glass) in the lower right corner of the browser window, increasing magnification at least up to 400 per cent (more if you use the ‘zoom in’ function). Then, if you left-click on each figure, it will give you a separate image of the figure, again expanded. Using this, I was even able to make the tiny lettering on Figure 10 completely legible.
Carlos Czymoch - Brazil - Sao Paulo would like to put more drawings on this subject - are lively and information here in my country we do not have this information - if it has reared pocivel electrical projects more often and will not find on the net referring to plants ferromodelismo, sujestão circuits going to start simple and more complex circuits.
Thank you for your attention
Czymoch Carlos - São Paulo - Brazil
I’ve been looking at the bipolar power supply on page 60. Is there any reason that couldn’t be constructed using a 24.6v center tap transformer? The diodes in the rectifiers should take .7v out bringing the output within the 12v limit. Maybe add a pair of capicitors to smooth out the DC ripple. Great article, I’m looking forward to part two.
The print is so small I can not read it and the drawings of yard track desigb is so light in colour that I can not see it well because of eye problems. I would suggest yo allow us to use larger print and darler colour ink on the yard tracks. Thankyou.
Great article and great timing. I’m just planning the installation and wiring of Tortoise machines for some staging tracks that use ladders. The only thing that confuses me is the connection to the “motor wiper.” Can someone enlighten me?
good evening can someone explane how motor A in figure #8 page 60 -gets voltage to throw the machine it seems to me that the diode is blocking the flow also it seems that you have a+ and a - conection at the same tine on sw1-a-and sw1b. could the diode be in the wrong place thanks in advance Lenlar@aol.com
Thank you all for your constructive comments. As to resolution of the drawings, my original pdf had all drawings on separate full pages. MR placed the drawings in line with the text for better readability. This is a good practice, but resolution suffered. You can enlarge it as Mr. Crawford suggested, but it is somewhat blury at 400% magnification. If you feel comfortable with posting your email address, I will monitor this site for a while and send you the full res pdf file. It is 700kb.
For some of the other questions: I have reviewed all drawings and they are correct. Pins 2,3, and 4 are on the Tortoise PC board and represent an internal SPDT switch (included inside the Tortoise). The dashed lines indicate the motor that contains the particular switch.
Good Luck and have fun.
Dr. Thomas Hunt
An easy way to create ± 12 Volts is to buy two 12 VDC “wall warts” at a surplus store or online surplus. Should cost about $5-$10 depending on the amount of Amps you need.
Hi Thomas,
Great info, thank you! Please e-mail the file to me at CPRXmodelRR@earthlink.net
Thank you,
Frank
Mr hunt any info that you can sent is very helpful, I am still quite new to this great hobby and looking for all info I can get. Roger Harris , Kyle Tx . Caddy2513@Yahoo.com
Great article. Would you please send me a pdf file. t
cpbauer@comcast.net