Tortise switch Machines and signals


CGW121

CGW121

Well-Known Member
I have some tortise switch machines that I would like to attach signals too. Does anyone know of accurate info on how to do this? A schematic
would be fine. These signals are 2 color green and yellow, and are made by WeHonest. 2 lights green and yelllow.

Mike
 
CGW121 said:
I have some tortise switch machines that I would like to attach signals too. Does anyone know of accurate info on how to do this? A schematic
would be fine. These signals are 2 color green and yellow, and are made by WeHonest. 2 lights green and yelllow.

Mike
Click to expand...
It sort of depends on what you want the signal to tell you. Green for straight and yellow for diverging? And secondarily how have you wired the tortoise. And do the WeHonest signals already have resistors or not?

Here is one simple way assuming no pre-wired resistors in the signals. The motor becomes the resistor.

simple wire.png
 
Iron Horseman said:
It sort of depends on what you want the signal to tell you. Green for straight and yellow for diverging? And secondarily how have you wired the tortoise. And do the WeHonest signals already have resistors or not?

Here is one simple way assuming no pre-wired resistors in the signals. The motor becomes the resistor.

View attachment 133320
Click to expand...
The WeHonest signals are 3 wire green yellow and black I think I need 4 wire, or am I missing something.
 
CGW121 said:
The WeHonest signals are 3 wire green yellow and black I think I need 4 wire, or am I missing something.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Do you know which one is "common"? I would guess black, with yellow for yellow color and green for green color.

That would give something like this.
simple wire.png
 
The Tortise has a a DPDT switch in the contacts, so that's what you have to work with without adding any additional switches.

Generally, one side of the switch power supply would go to the common and then one side of the switch would go to one light and the other side would go to the other light. Which one depends on how the switch is lined and what lights you want to come on when.

SignalPower.png
 
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dave1905 said:
The Tortise has a a DPDT switch in the contacts, so that's what you have to work with without adding any additional switches.

Generally, one side of the switch power supply would go to the common and then one side of the switch would go to one light and the other side would go to the other light. Which one depends on how the switch is lined and what lights you want to come on when.

View attachment 133393
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave

I need a schematic, as I learn easier that way. Trouble with utube stuff is they they talk endlessly and if they have a drawing it is useless.

Mike
 
You will have to play with it to make sure you have all the positive and negative connections oriented correctly, so don't solder it together until you have tried it. You might also need a resistor on line with the LED's depending on your power source.

Since its a DPDT switch, the other contacts can power frogs or a second signal if you have two switches in line.
 
I am still confused as to how I connect the terminal strip up. Sorry for the trouble.

Mike
 
Iron Horseman said:
Not necessarily. Do you know which one is "common"? I would guess black, with yellow for yellow color and green for green color.

That would give something like this.
View attachment 133349
Click to expand...
Not likely.

The signal isn't going to be wired like that with the LEDs in opposite directions. When you've seen circuits like that, it's for wiring a SINGLE bi-polar bi-colour red/green LED, which will light red if power flows one way, or green in the other.

A signal with separate coloured LEDs in in, is going to have a common on one side, and all the LEDs facing the same way with an individual lead on each one, and relies on physically switching which wire is receiving power, not reversing the direction of the power flow.

So your circuit will only ever work on one of the lights, and the other won't light....
 

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cv_acr said:
So your circuit will only ever work on one of the lights, and the other won't light....
Click to expand...
Which is the trouble I am having. Black wire is common. Green wire for green light. Yellow wire for yellow light.

Mike
 
cv_acr said:
The signal isn't going to be wired like that with the LEDs in opposite directions. When you've seen circuits like that, it's for wiring a SINGLE bi-polar bi-colour red/green LED, which will light red if power flows one way, or green in the other.
Click to expand...
Yup, you are exactly right, I am too used to having independent LEDs to work with. Sorry CGW121 I lead you astray.
 
Really no matter. I just cannot figure where the power and the contacts get hooked up. I guess I will quit wasting my time on this and just run dark.

Mike
 
Which product are you talking about, can you post a picture?
I think I might have an idea.
I’m looking at these ones, also from Wehonest:
1633519367412.jpeg
These are red/green/yellow with a common.
This arrangement will require selecting one of three routes for power.
I usually use bi-color LEDs which require reversing polarity as inline with a tortoise.
 
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Don't forget to use resistors if using lamps rated for less than 12 volts if using a 12 volt power source or LED's.

Greg
 
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