I’m planning a layout and have started purchasing turnouts (Peco N scale) and am still questionning myself on the advantages of using Tortoise’s vs Peco PL-10’s.Given they are more expensive,I wouldn’t equip the whole layout with these but would do so for my most important turnouts (main line) that I want to set with signalling eventually.
I read that Tortoise’s are all set for signalling purposes and that no other switches or hardware would be necessary for low level signalling,making them no so expensive after all.I never actually saw one (LHS doesn’t stock them) and before ordering I’d like to know if they’re really worthed it.
Are they actually TO motors with DPDT latching relays?Do they need SPDT switches or momentary switching?Could I find a diagram somewhere?I’d like to know how these work,thanks.
I guess erimer wanted to get his point across… [}:)]
The tortises lend themselves well to signaling because they come with 2 sets of contacts built in… A simple SPDT switch can be used to throw them as they should remain powered to hold the point rails in place. I’m not familar with the pecos so I can’t give a compare for you… I Can tell you however, all my turnouts (60+) are powered with tortises and they haven’t given me a second of trouble… Didn’t buy them all at once though, more like 10 at a time… As erimer suggests, Tony’s is a good place to look for info… You might also want to check this one out…
Thanks for sacrificing the tortoise! It is interesting to see the inside of the thing. A simple device, but highly effective. The guy who invented it should be patted on the back for sure. If you are able to put the thing back together (without having pieces left over) I bet the thing will still run and you still won’t have to worry about the warranty.
…and of course don’t forget to review the Hoffmann switch machines available at aspenmodel.com. They are low profile. I use the model MWA02-S which are currently advertised for $11 each.
Which things are noisy? Tortoises? If so, that’s completely contrary to my experience:
In my experience (which is now many, many tortoises) they’re effectively silent while idling. They make some noise while throwing, but even that is quite minimal: I can hear them if I’m testing one on the workbench, but once installed under the table I get nothing…
I forgot, how large of a hole do you guys drill up through your subroadbed and roadbed for the piano wire so it will move back and forth effectively on the turnout?
I drill a 3/8" hole. But the fulcrum adjustment can limit the size hole required.The lower the fulcrum, closer to the moving arm of the Tortise, the larger the hole must be.
But as you move the fulcrum up/down you also vary the amount of force applied to the switch.
If only the one is noisy I suspect somethig is in the gear train.
Perhaps some saw dust got into the machine through the acuator arm slot .
Just a guess. I have over thirty Tortise machines and while you can hear them running they are quite to the point that really do not hear them if trains when running.
I have about a dozen Tortoise motors on my layout, and the noise from them is minimal. They’re pretty quiet compared to the old twin-coil machines I had before. Anyway, my Tortoises have their own power bus and a pair of Bachmann train-set power packs. I say “a pair” because each side of my L-shaped layout has its own power pack. I could have powered them all off one power pack, but there’s less wire running around this way
Jacktal: did we answer your questions?
The Peco machines are twin coil and slam back and forth. You can add extra contacts to them. They are expressly desogned to fit on the Peco turnouts.
The Tortoise is a slow motion machine. Peco turnouts need to have the spring removed or you lose all the slow motion feature. They are gentler on the turnouts, and ideal for any that were handbuilt. As the dissection shows, they have a dpdt switch built in; this can be used to run a relay if you need more circuits.
Peco operate with momentary contacts (e.g. push buttons) while the Tortoise needs an xPDT switch (X >=1).
I believe the Tortoise’s can also be wired to use push buttons via their built-in contacts. However, there is little point to doing so except as a twin coil replacement. The xPDT toggle gives you a direct indication of turnout position on the panel without using any LEDs.
Yes indeed…my question has been fully answered,just as most questions posted on this forum.I like the possibility of using “steady on” switches with the Tortoise motors,which would enable me to power other functions without latching relays while keeping the wiring diagram somewhat simpler.As I said in my initial post,I’ll probably buy a couple for very specific purposes (signalling for one) but I will use my Peco PL-10 for the other TO’s as I already have 20 in stock.Although not as prototypical,I don’t mind the click sound of these and their use at the club has proven them reliable.Thanks guys…this forum is great.
