I popped up again for air. Are any of you using the Switch Tender for turnout control with PECO Electrofrog sprung turnouts? I have a couple of narrow areas under the turnouts that I want to power and are hard to get too. The picture in the catalog they send me looks like it would work for these areas but are they powerful enough to throw the spring? I am using C55 PECO. With the constant pressure generated against points to rail maybe it would save me from power routing in these areas. Doug
I tried a pair of Switch Tender machines and thought they were awful. I returned them to Micro Mark and substituted Tortoises. I wish I had read this review first http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mmark-switch-tender.htm, as it backs up what I saw with mine. My experience was that the Switch Tender has WAY too much torque once you apply sufficient voltage for it to throw. It didn’t like to break free from a stall, and once it did it threw too hard. I had never before encountered a switch machine that I couldn’t fine tune for satisfactory performance, but I gave up on Switch Tenders after a couple days of messing with them. Note that I wan’t using Peco turnouts but Shinohara code 70 in HO, so I can’t say specifically what they’ll do in your case, thought I’d offer some caution anyway.
Thanks Rob. Torque was one of my concerns with the c55 but still wanted positive contact with points to the track, I think I’ll just plan on Tortoise then. The last thing I want is the turnouts to go out of spec. They were too hard to get in this area as it is. Doug
I have no experience with switch machines, I just flip Peco switches with my finger. Howerer when using Pecos with machines, other than the Peco brand, the spring should be removed.
At one time these slow motion motors were very popular. I don’t know if this iteration is the same set-up. The motor’s original purpose was to swing advertizing signs in food stores. I see that the Switch Tender comes with instructions, did you follow them and install the resistor in one of the motor leads?
Thanks for reply. I have not purchased any Switch Tenders nor knew much about them. I was wondering what the original use for them was. Considering other replies I will just use Torts in these hard to reach areas. Most of the new layout I am building I will switch turnouts manually. Thanks, Doug
I don’t think this is the same motor. I have used a lot of the Switchmaster (Hankscraft/advertising sign motor) machines and it looks nothing like those.
I installed mine precisely per the directions, and experimented with different resistance and voltage settings, none of which proved satisfactory. I then found the Tony’s Trains review and realized it wasn’t just me. I know there are satisfied users of this product, but I’ve had my fun and won’t try them again.
The MicroMark Switch Tender is nothing like the Hankscraft motors that sort of started the whole slow motion switch motor thing, nor the American Switch and Signal packaging of such motors in a ready to use kit.
Just reading the description of the Switch Tender where it syas 60ma stall current is enough to make me say, no way. Same with those Cobalt motors, the stall current is just way too high - completely eliminates the ability to just put some LEDs in series witht he motor for panel indicators and makes you use the contacts - which the Cobalt at least has.
If small space is a requirement, it’s hard to beat miniature servos. With a proper controller, like those sold by Tam Valley. For about the same price as a Tortoise you get the motor, pushbottons and LEDs for the fascia, AND a DCC accessory decoder. If you don;t use DCC< you can get the even less espensive controller what just uses buttons or switches and ahs the panel indicators, but no DCC capability built it. The servos themselves run about 6 for $13 on ebay.
–Randy
Thanks Randy; I just ordered my Digitrax system today for the new build. I’ll look into the servo’s from Tam Valley once I get the DCC up and running. It is a real learning curve after 25 years of DC and Block control. I am really looking forward too it. Been doing a lot of reading. Doug
It almost looks like there is a gear box at the working end of the Switch Tender and I don’t recall this being on the Switch Master motors!
Is MicroMark aware that this item has to much power for HO? The President of the company is an O Scale modeler, maybe this item is designed for O.
Ever check out the guts of a Switchmaster? There’s an astounding array of gears inside, just no separate gearbox as visible externally.