I thought to get an under table switch machine (atlas 65) or a remote one (atl 585) for my DC-wired layout. What one to use? I’ve seen on other posts of folks saying that they suggest bypassing Atlas and just get Tortoise. Should I invest the money and get a Tortoise? This is my 1st layout and not sure which is easier to operate and hookup.
Best,
Lee
Lee,
Not sure what scale you’re working in, but I can highly recommend the tortoise machines. You just have to take care and install them accurately. They provide a helpful drilling template that speeds things up.
Read the directions carefully, and I also recommend hooking up your wires at the work bench instead of trying to do it on your back under the benchwork.
Lee
HI,
I agree whith Lee, Tortoise are certainly the number one choice.
The second one at nearly the same level, but whithout build in contacts are the Switchmaster motore or Hankraft display motor.
Both feature motor whith gearing and because of their stalling properities offer constant pressure on the trowbar of the turnout.
Marc
How thick is your layout base, and what is it made of?
The Atlas under-table machines have a 1-inch vertical shaft. They are designed for a layout constructed of 3/4 inch plywood with 1/4 inch roadbed. While you can trim the shaft if your layout is thinner, it is difficult to extend it. In contrast, many modelers use Tortoises with 2-inch foam bases simply by replacing the supplied wire with something a bit thicker and longer.
All under-table machines require some sort of firm base to attach them. With foam, some just glue the Tortoises to the underside, while other glue on a piece of 1/4 inch plywood and then attach the Tortoise to that.
Another one to consider is the Switch Tender by Micro-Mark. It’s a stall motor geared device. I find it easy to install and align. If you’re using Peco turnouts, they make an under table adapter but I found it impossible to properly align. I’d rather cut the big hole and attach it directly to the turnout.
If it’s a turnout you can reach to throw by hand, why not a Caboose Industries ground throw? Much cheaper and easier to install and use than a powered turnout.
The problem with the ‘Switch Tender’ is that it draws 60ma of current(even with the supplied resistor). Since most bi-color LED’s can only handle about 20 ma, they cannot be wired in series like with a Tortoise(which only draws about 18 ma at ‘stall’). There are more than enough discount ‘deals’ on Tortoise motors, so the price is about the same.
Jim
Tortoises are very good, top of the line. If you have the $18, go Tortoise. The Atlas snap track undertable machines work, thru a 3/4" table. They don’t work up thru 2 inch foam. They lack auxiliary contacts which you need to power a metal electrically hot frog or to work switch position indicator lamps. A better compromise of cost vs performance might be a big twin coil machine. Kemtron used to make them along with several other makers. I don’t see them advertised any more, but they turn up at train shows. You make a bell crank out of piano wire working in a thru the table bushing made from brass tubing. This bell crank connects the points on the top of the table to the twin coil machine underneath. The machines have a solid overcenter mechanism to keep the points pressed against the stock rail and plenty of auxiliary contacts. I’d expect to pay $5 or less apiece, used.
I only have one powered turnout (the rest are manual) and I went with the Tortoise for several reasons - availability, price, ease of installation and especially the built in contacts. I am very pleased with how things turned out (pun intended? Maybe.), but one thing does surprise me: the noise. When the motor throws one way or the other, it makes a medium-volume whirring/gnashing sound from the motor and gears doing their job. Since it’s the only one, and since the room is relatively quiet otherwise (only one or two sound-equipped engines on the layout at one time), it is very noticeable. For me, it is not a problem, but I wonder what it would sound like when lining up a route on an entire yard ladder powered by Tortoises.
I’m just curious if this is normal. Do other Tortoises make as much noise as mine, and if so, does it bother their owners when they have a lot of them installed?
Tom
No, it’s not normal at all. I have installed 15 or 20 Tortoise switch motors on my HO scale home layout and on a large HO scale club layout, and none of them can be heard at all when they’re being thrown. Someting is wrong with the way you have yours mounted or it needs lubrication.
I have the same problem Tom, but I have 4 installed now and 26 more waiting their turn. I assume the noise is normal as all of mind do it. I first thought something was wrong inside the machine but apparently not, just noisey.
Bob