Side Mounted Turnout Motor

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woodcamp66213

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The wiring diagram shows the use of a toggle switch, I guess it has to be DTDP sw. With my limited knowledge of electrical hookups, I'm not certain about this. The diagram also shows a "CDU". What is this? Experienced information is appreciated & welcomed.
Also, in addition to the Side Mounted Turnout Motor I have Tortoises. Which is better to use and connect?
I'm still in the infant stages of establishing my layout.

Jim
 
If the side-mounted turnout motors are twin-coil solenoids, they must have only momentary application of power or they will burn out the coil(s). That DPDT switch must be Momentary, Center-Off, or the common wire must be wired in series with a momentary pushbutton. I haven't used any Tortoise machines, but I believe they are continuous current "stall motors". Others will have to comment on how they work.
 
woodcamp66213 said:
The wiring diagram shows the use of a toggle switch, I guess it has to be DTDP sw. With my limited knowledge of electrical hookups, I'm not certain about this. The diagram also shows a "CDU". What is this? Experienced information is appreciated & welcomed.
Also, in addition to the Side Mounted Turnout Motor I have Tortoises. Which is better to use and connect?
I'm still in the infant stages of establishing my layout.

Jim
Click to expand...
A CDU? Hmmmm, I'm kinda stumped on that one.
Can you post a picture of the diagram you're looking at.
 


D&J RailRoad said:
A CDU? Hmmmm, I'm kinda stumped on that one.
Click to expand...

CDU = Capacitive Discharge Unit
modelrailwayengineer.com

CDUs: The Power Behind Model Railway Point Control

If you're a model railway enthusiast, you know how important it is to keep your points (or turnouts) working properly. A Capacitor Discharge Unit (CDU) can help ensure that your points operate reliably and minimize the risk of derailments. Here's what you need to know before buying one. What is...
modelrailwayengineer.com modelrailwayengineer.com

Dan
 
woodcamp66213 said:
The wiring diagram shows the use of a toggle switch, I guess it has to be DTDP sw. With my limited knowledge of electrical hookups, I'm not certain about this. The diagram also shows a "CDU". What is this? Experienced information is appreciated & welcomed.
Also, in addition to the Side Mounted Turnout Motor I have Tortoises. Which is better to use and connect?
I'm still in the infant stages of establishing my layout.

Jim
Click to expand...
The switch is an SPDT Momentary Toggle switch

A CDU simply gives the point motors an extra boost of power to ensure the switchblade moves correctly, it's not strictly necessary unless you're using multiple points simultaneously and DO NOT use one if using Tortoise motors

In regards to Tortoise motors vs surface-mounted motors that is subjective, we all have our favourites, to me it depends on how pro-typical you intend your layout to be, I have I think 14 surface-mounted point motors and two under-the-board motors, so not very pro-typical

I would suggest you take a look through Brian Lambert's website in the Electrical Page link below, lots of useful information regarding all aspects of electrical work and building a layout for both the DC and DCC model railroaders it's simply explained and with plenty of diagrams to help you get your head round stuff, I certainly needed it and even after all these years I still refer back to it.

 
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trailrider said:
If the side-mounted turnout motors are twin-coil solenoids, they must have only momentary application of power or they will burn out the coil(s). That DPDT switch must be Momentary, Center-Off, or the common wire must be wired in series with a momentary pushbutton. I haven't used any Tortoise machines, but I believe they are continuous current "stall motors". Others will have to comment on how they work.
Click to expand...
Where do you buy most of your toggle switches? I research them and get smothered in adds.
Jim
 
D&J RailRoad said:
A CDU? Hmmmm, I'm kinda stumped on that one.
Can you post a picture of the diagram you're looking at.
Click to expand...
I went to school (Google) and found it. Although it looks like I got additional help with this on this forum also. Thanks
Jim
 

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D&J RailRoad said:
A CDU? Hmmmm, I'm kinda stumped on that one.
Can you post a picture of the diagram you're looking at.
Click to expand...
This explains it better than I can.

A CDU is a Capacitor Discharge Unit. It is an electrical component that can be included into a circuit and stores up an electrical charge, it releases the current in a powerful short sharp burst on the demand of an operator (you) by pressing a button or flipping a switch.
 


Most pple will use a toggle switch, you only need one to switch the motor in either direction, with push buttons, as you've pointed out, it needs two, so takes up twice the space, plus the extra wiring that entails, but it's down to individual's choice.
 
If you use a SPDT toggle switch, be sure it is spring-loaded center off. You could also use a rotary switch to show which way the points are aligned. You would need a single pushbutton wired in series with the center terminal of the rotary switch. The reason for using a rotary switch is so you can tell at a glance, looking at a control panel, which route the turnout points are aligned.

There are other, more complicated ways to indicate routing, using LED lights on the panel. You could also use signal lights (12V or LED's) on the layout itself to show to what route the turnout is aligned. Those could be controlled by terminals on the switch machine, if present, or using the current directly from the track. Not trying to confuse you, just mentioning the possibilities.
 
I use a three position toggle switch for my CDU switch motors. Toggle is ON-OFF-ON with center as the normal toggle position. Toggle is made with spring like action as you have to hold the toggle in the on position and when you release it the switch returns to the center (off) position. There is a technical term for this type of toggle but I am too lazy to look it up.
I use about 11 of the twin coil switch machines ( some are Kemtron others are Tenshodo ) as I bought about 20 of them all brand new for $2 each. These are located in my helix and staging where they are easily accessible and out of sight. They have a quick positive action and throw the Peco switches I used very well. I use the Miniatronics Corp. Capacitive Discharge Unit that operates up to 10 turnouts and I use the Block Signaling CDU.
There are plans for building a CDU for model railroads on the Interweb.
John
 
Kemtron and Tenshodo machines, hunh? Sounds like you and I are of the same vintage. Those give good, positive turnout point pressure. Do you remove the springs from the Peco turnout points? I do.
 
trailrider said:
Kemtron and Tenshodo machines, hunh? Sounds like you and I are of the same vintage. Those give good, positive turnout point pressure. Do you remove the springs from the Peco turnout points? I do.
Click to expand...
I have left the Peco spring in place. The twin coil switch machine has no problem with them and I like the fact that the turnout springs hold the rails tight. I use the connections on the twin coil machines for frog power.
 
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