Just a quick Question
On my last layout which was DC i had pairs of points facing each other which were wired to change together and worked well.
On my new layout that I am now planning to build which will also be DC i was thinking of having three points changing together from the one switch. Will that work ok?
Puddles
Point switching
Point switching
It does not take me long to do five minutes work.
Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
Re: Point switching
That is what I am doing at the moment.
What are you using to supply the point motors do you have a 14 volt AC off a gaugemaster controller or something You may need an extra transformer like a Gaugemaster PM 2 or 3. PM 2 is 20 volt ac PM 3 is 25 volt AC I use a PM3 and the instructions say it throughs up to 6 point motors together. I use a CDU as well.
What are you using to supply the point motors do you have a 14 volt AC off a gaugemaster controller or something You may need an extra transformer like a Gaugemaster PM 2 or 3. PM 2 is 20 volt ac PM 3 is 25 volt AC I use a PM3 and the instructions say it throughs up to 6 point motors together. I use a CDU as well.
Sandy
Re: Point switching
Hi,
I would be looking for a 16 volt AC power supply capable of providing at least 1.0Amp. If you haven't one, but do have a former laptop power supply that's rated at around 19 to 21 volts DC at 3.5Amp or greater then you can use that.
In addition, you will need a Capacitor Discharge Unit (CDU) wired immediately after the power source and before any point levers or switches. The CDU will store the power needed to give the point solenoids a hearty punch of momentary power that's able to operate up to around five of six solenoids all at once.
If possible wire each motor back to the switch or lever position using 16/0.2mm wire for each of their two operation wires = six wires. You wont get three 16/0.2mm wires easily onto a switches wiring tab, so use a very short length of 16/0.2 from each of the switches two connections to a piece of nearby terminal block where the three x 2 wires will connect. Do not be tempted to run just two wires from the switch to the first motor then attempt to link motor to motor. All this will do is probably allow the first motor to move but the other two fail to move or only partially move.
Additionally, where a Common Return wire is used for all the motors (leading back to the CDU Negative output) this would need to be 32/0.2mm (1.5mm2) wire. If you don't have or don't wish to purchase 32/0.2 then use two parallel lengths of 16/0.2mm ensuring both ends and all intermediate connections are made onto both of the doubled up wires.
I would be looking for a 16 volt AC power supply capable of providing at least 1.0Amp. If you haven't one, but do have a former laptop power supply that's rated at around 19 to 21 volts DC at 3.5Amp or greater then you can use that.
In addition, you will need a Capacitor Discharge Unit (CDU) wired immediately after the power source and before any point levers or switches. The CDU will store the power needed to give the point solenoids a hearty punch of momentary power that's able to operate up to around five of six solenoids all at once.
If possible wire each motor back to the switch or lever position using 16/0.2mm wire for each of their two operation wires = six wires. You wont get three 16/0.2mm wires easily onto a switches wiring tab, so use a very short length of 16/0.2 from each of the switches two connections to a piece of nearby terminal block where the three x 2 wires will connect. Do not be tempted to run just two wires from the switch to the first motor then attempt to link motor to motor. All this will do is probably allow the first motor to move but the other two fail to move or only partially move.
Additionally, where a Common Return wire is used for all the motors (leading back to the CDU Negative output) this would need to be 32/0.2mm (1.5mm2) wire. If you don't have or don't wish to purchase 32/0.2 then use two parallel lengths of 16/0.2mm ensuring both ends and all intermediate connections are made onto both of the doubled up wires.
<< Click the Icon to go to my websiteRe: Point switching
Thank you Brian and Sandy for your advice, I can now carry on with my plans knowing the points will function with the correct kit in place.
Puddles
Puddles
It does not take me long to do five minutes work.
Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
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