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Another stupid turnout question...

Chrislock

Entry posted by Chrislock

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Greetings.

I have now pretty much wired up my 5 point motors via DPDT switches, and the result does look a bit like a weird underwater frondy plant. I am wishing at this stage that I had used the alarm installation cable to keep the wires in one sleeve!

Anyway, onto the question, with reference to the wiring diagram in the previous post:

blogentry-5408-0-26079800-1300391076_thumb.jpg

 

I have a 9V supply ready to power the motors; therefore I assume that 9V must be fed into the rails at points X and Y from the motor connections.

However, the point A,B will be fed from the 12V controller via the main power rails.

Surely this means that the loco motor will slow down when passing through the common crossing (12v-9v), then speed up again on leaving ( 9v - 12v)?

Or am I missing something obvious, and the lead vapours inhaled are compromising my powers of rational thought?

 

Chris

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2mm Andy

Chris,

 

The 9v power supply should be connected to 1 and 8 on the point motor as you have shown. The power to the track is separate to the power supply to the point motor. All the point motor does is switch the polarity of the crossing (in green) between x and y, depending on which way the point is set.

 

Hope this helps

 

Andy

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DonB

I've just had look at their Web pages, since I know nowt about these items.

At http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/Cobalt_turnout_motor.htm is a description of the motor, and at the bottom of the first section of that page there is an option to download a 22 page installation manual.

Your wiring diagram does not look right to me, but I'm open to conviction otherwise. (I don't know what the terminals 2,3,4 etc do)

The 9V supply is,I assume, the DPDT switched supply, and separate from the track supply.

No doubt someone will be along to correct me and put you on the right track (Sorry!)

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Kris
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2, 3 & 4 form one of the motors integrated stpt switches Don.

 

Chris, you need to make sure that X & A are linked, and that B & Y are linked (this could be through the track bus if you are using one). You don't actually need the breaks in the track before the point.

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Jan

Chris,

 

The 9v power supply should be connected to 1 and 8 on the point motor as you have shown. The power to the track is separate to the power supply to the point motor. All the point motor does is switch the polarity of the crossing (in green) between x and y, depending on which way the point is set.

 

Hope this helps

 

Andy

 

Hi Chris,

 

Yep..... I agree with Andy. From what I can make out of the Cobalt pdf (http://www.dccconcepts.com/PDF_Downloads/cobalt_instructions.pdf) the outer two contacts are motor power, with the rest being seperate to the feed... just like a Tortoise... yay for industry standards! The switches aren't switching the 9v from the motor out to the track (the 9v stays in the motor), but using the throw of the motor to alter the polarity of the crossing with respect to the +/- polarity of the tails from the 12v running lines coming into the terminals. So when the motor moves the blades across, the crossing nose polarity changes to suit the track supply required. Magic.

I THINK that's right... 4 days of flu (and YES... I mean FLU.....) have made my head all Sharron Davies-esque...

 

Cheers

 

Jan

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Chrislock

Thanks folks - I had already set up the wiring as described, with 1 and 8 to the 9v supply, and the other three leads to the point.

The extra contacts seem to be for an additional point - I think they may be used for a slip?

It was only as I was walking to the chip shop afterwards mulling over the amount of wiring done, that I thought of the possibility of voltage variance.

Obviously it IS the lead fumes and I need to have a major break from soldering... :unsure:

Kris - I see your point that the break there is a little superfluous now...!!:rolleyes:

Still, I have learned a lot already from the experiment.

I look forward to similar trials and tribs when I start thinking about memory wire control of signals and gates!

Cheers,

Chris

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devondynosoar118

The additional contacts might be for powering signals, check the manual. Have you thought of posting some of these in the DCC questions forum as well, I got lots of good help there whilst getting my head around the same subject.

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Donw
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The switch motor provides two sets of contacts. One set is needed to switch the frog polarity the other is avilable for other purposes these could include operating a signal or a panel indication, as part of electrical interlocking to avoid conflicting routes being set, change linking sets of motors for route switching. More commonly the second set is not used but if you went for one of the options above you will be glad its there.

Somewhere I have a useful circuit where a switch motor can be operated from one of two or three switches. Useful if you have along layout and walkabout controls.

Don

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