ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
I know this is probably way more trouble than what it's worth. However, I am not getting rid of all the track I already purchased. I am VERY unhappy about the way that the solenoids work on all of my Bachmann turnouts. They are horrible. They do not keep the points tight against the rails, and sometimes the points don't even touch the rail because the solenoid doesn't make it all the way in our out. SO I decided to replace all of the solenoids with Under the table mounted Tortoise machines.
So my questions about this are....
1: Do the tortoise machines provide plenty of torque? So that it can move a stiffer set of points? (I modified my turnouts so that the points stay tighter against the rail. The stock solenoid doesn't have enough power, however you can move them manually easily enough)
2: Do the Tortoise machines work well with the digitrax DS64 DCC modules? I have 4 of these on hand, and they work well with my setup, just wasn't sure how well they worked with the tortoise machines.
For our purposes, the torque is limitless! [They drive the points into position and then hold 'em there!] - *So* much better (and prototypical) than a baulky solenoid! One change you will not regret IMHO. [Although, you will curse their size when they're 1/8th too close to your benchwork.....]
2: Do the Tortoise machines work well with the digitrax DS64 DCC modules? I have 4 of these on hand, and they work well with my setup, just wasn't sure how well they worked with the tortoise machines.
The Tortoise motor will move any turnout points, but the actuator wire is the key. For normal operation the wire supplied will work just fine. If your installation is through a thick sub road base requiring a longer wire or if the type turnout has a stiff movement, a larger "piano" wire may be needed. I only have done this in a few places and used 0.32" sized wire (get at any RC hobby shop)
You could almost say a DS64 was made for Tortoises .
Another thing is you don't have to tighten the points to hold against the rail. The tortoise keeps a constant tension on the rail since it's always powered.
I'm glad to hear I didn't make a mistake. I'm not sure if any of you have taken apart a Bachmann turnout. They are really not made well. Even if you have 100lb of torque on the rod where the solenoid connects, you sill will have loose points. Very weak. I will take pics and post them.
By the way with the DS64 you have to use the op switches to set up for use with the tortoise. Also when you set it up for tortoise all outputs will be set up the same. You can't mix tortoise with solenoid units.
I'm not sure what you mean by that. I won't have any solenoid units left. What do I need to power the solenoid unit with? I was going to use the 1 amp DC power supply I have here from an old train set.
with that just to note that there are turnouts such as peco that have a centering spring. tortoise does not have enough to overcome that spring (so it is removed)
I wont say that I made the mistake by going with bachmann products, but I am learning slowly that there are better alternatives. The bachmann turnouts just aren't that great unless you make some major modifications to them. I changed the little "Whisker" type spring thats connected to the original solenoid. I changed that to a .032" piece of carbon fiber. It makes the pints much tighter to the rail. I'm going to remove the solenoid that is on the turnout, with the tortoise machine. If that setup doens't work, I will connect the tortoise machine directly to the points instead. But I will make it work.
The few Peco's I have are the ones that I have used the larger actuator wire (short 0.32 doesn't bend). The Tortoise can then pop the points right on over.
I have some of my Tortoise to the "slip" tie and others directly to the little hole in the middle of the point tie (track): all depended on mounting space. Both locations work good.
Im actually looking forward to all my goodies getting here. I also made an order from Tower Hobbies for the last few things I need to get a good start. Then I'll have to make a visit to Radio Shack to get a bunch of Buss bars, and then one last trip to Menards for the last of the lumber.
[They drive the points into position and then hold 'em there!] - *So* much better (and prototypical) than a baulky solenoid! One change you will not regret IMHO. [Although, you will curse their size when they're 1/8th too close to your benchwork.....]
.
