I have a NCE PH PRO. I want to make it so I can switch my siding with it what do I need to do this. I am using peco switches. I have bought on electric switch so I can cut the holes under my switch. It is the electric switch for the peco switches. I would like some help in the Items I need to buy and the way I need to wire it to work. Any other advice or tips that you think i should know will be greatly appreciated.
You need a stationary decoder that can throw a twin-coil machine. NCE makes one called the SwitchIt, but it supports only Tortoise or similar stall-motor machines.
Search Tony’s Train Exchange or Litchfield Station for a stationary decoder for twin-coil machines.
They make a decoder (Snap It?) that can be used on twin coil switch machines.
Yes…the NCE decoder for twin coil machines like Peco and Atlas is the Snap-it. Other manufactures make decoders for them, also.
You can download the instructions and diagrams from the company’s web sites.
Such as … http://www.ncedcc.com/ncetest/snap_it.pdf
I’ve played with the Snap-it and both Atlas and Peco switch machines, and I did not have to make any electrical adjustments.
Greg
So that means that the new switch8 will work as well on the peco twin coil switchs.
No…the Switch-8 is for operating 8 stall motor switch machines, like the Tortoise
How about this article at Tony’s web site. You can scroll down to a couple of charts to get right to your answers …
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/sta_dec_jungle.htm
Greg
thanks yard goat
I guess I will doing them manually. that looks really expensive.
Yes…this stuff can really start to add up.
If you’re using Peco, you already have some expensive, but quality, stuff.
I have a very small layout, so things are a lot cheaper for me. To be honest, most of the money came from my parents, etc … as I am a college student, but blew my knee out badly and have been a frigging invalid for months now.
Greg
ANother advanatge of stall motors like Tortoise. They may cost a bit more, but control options cost less. The Snap-It can only control 1 twin-coil switch machine. The Switch-It for abotu the same price can control TWO Tortoises (actually, I’ve used a single output on a Switch-It to control BOTH Tortoises of a crossover with no problems). The low current draw of slow motion switch motors allows more possibilities for control.
–Randy
Lenz makes a product called the LS150. It will control up to 6 atlas snap or peco switch machines. You can get it for $40 online.
I have the Lenz LS150 and am very happy with it. I also have NCE PH Pro. I have my LS150 doing switch and signal work.
Back when I still used the twin-coil machines, I had several LS150’s and they worked great. Definitely a lot of ‘bang for the buck’ compared to other decoder options.
thanks everyone that is something to look into thats more into my price range. I will look for the lenzs site and do some reading. Maybe you can also tell me anything else I need to buy to hook this to my NCE.
Wire! [;)]
You’ve got the turnouts, you’ve got the swich machines (or are going to change over to Tortoise type like Randy mentioned [and I ended up using]), you know which decoders to buy, you already have a top of the line DCC system, now its just time to grab your favorite beverage and get to work!
Of course, any questions that should arise as you go, will most certainly get answered here. Take your time to read and study the instructions and diagrams, and you’ll be an expert!
Greg
Wire.
I prefer 20 ga. solid, myself.
Other than that, I think you’re pretty much set: It’s DCC system to Decoder, Decoder to turnout motor… Start switchin’
You will also need to get a 15 Volt 3 amp AC power supply for the LS150. They recommend the Atlas Generator in the manual, but I am sure you can use anything that puts out the same specs.
thanks kevin
that was going to be my next question if it cam with the power pack.
ok now the only wires I conect from the NCE unit is the ones that come from the track. and should I use 20 ga wire for that as well>
Is anyone using something different that the atlas generator. Is the something I can get from radio shackor I guess its the Source now.
and thanks to all who help me on this.
Yard Goat I hope the knee gets better I have been there playing football and had to have sugery on mine spent the hole summer on cruches on year.
Yes, the wires go from the track to the PowerPro System Box (if you are using a programming track, those wires go to a different spot on the PowerPro System Box.
I used #14 wire for the main bus ----- the main wire that goes from the PowerPro to my layout, and follows my main track around under the table.
I used #20 wire to make the short connections from the main bus wire to the track at various locations around the layout, and for all other uses.
I use NCE decoders with Tortoise machines, so I don’t use any external power suppies. I have a small layout.
Thank you about the knee. I played 6 years of youth football and then 4 years of high school football, and never got a serious injury — just the normal sprains and a few broken fingers, etc. Then, one day in the park playing football with friends, some idiot hits me hard with his shoulder in the side of my knee. I completely tore my ACL and the inner ligament, and half tore the PCL (the ligament in the back of the knee). I have ligaments from cadaevers in the knee. Big surgery. Sucks.
Greg
Thanks greg.