tortoise turnout power supply.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have six tortoise that I have been powering with an old Bachman 17 volt power pack, the type that came in their sets. If I dont turn the throuttle to full am I safe? I know the motors are stall type but is it normal for them to buzz a bit?
If they do buzz I guess I will just have to get a sound system.

2

Make certain the actual voltage to the Tortise machines does not exceed 12vdc under load.
I have 20 Tortise machines and only one of them produces a very low level ‘buzz’.

I have never been able to determine why.
I have swapped it with other Tortise machines and the buzz follows the offending machine.
So I guess some of them simply buzz!

3

I use an 12volt DC adapter I got at rat-shack for about $6.00 It runs ten tortoise switches and I have never heard them hum,I can hear them when they work that’s all.
JIM

4

I bought the 1500ma unit for around $19 from the same place and use ot to power all Tortoises, layour lighting and my control panels. No hum either.

5

The hum or buzz only occurs when the DC supply is unfiltered. To filter, install a capacitor between the output terminals of your power supply.

WARNING - this will raise your DC voltage slightly - or a lot, if the capacitor is big enough.

Chuck.

6

I am using a old computer power supply to run my tortoises, lighting and animation on my layout. These are good filtered power supplies with both 12VDC and 5VDC outputs

7

I use two Power pacs I got at a surplus store for $2.00 and wired for two pacs as per directions. I love how they work, though I am not a general fan of the tortoise.

8

I have purchased a dozen Tortoise motor a couple weeks ago and clearly remember reading that the manufacturer warns that current fed to the Tortoise motor should NEVER exceed 12 VDC.Tomikawa is probably totally right when he says that your DC current isn’t filtered,thus allowing some AC current to sip through,polluting your DC.I would consider using a safer power supply,since Tortoise’s aren’t cheap and don’t need a lot of power to operate.Low amperage 12 VDC won’t cost you much and fill your need easily.

9

Thanks for the replies.
I purchased 500ma 12vdc wall wart at radio shack and it works great. no noise at all.

10

Makes me wonder if your Tortoise power supply maybe has a little A/C ripple in it rather than a stalled D/C motor is buzzing.

11

Thanks for the info guys I needed it too. [:)]
Stephen