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Traverser

Ray Von

Entry posted by Ray Von in Wiring

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Constructed and test ran a new traverser today.

 

IMG_20210125_152516450.jpg.2cbef535acb6d05483a89d03f13a1f95.jpg

 

The parts I used were the top and base section of a bookcase (the main baseboard is made from the side panels.)

The traverser base is wall mounted with reinforced brackets, the deck is fitted with heavy duty drawer runners. 

 

*EDIT - 8/2/21: Magnetic connector snapped at weld, see posts for 8/2/21 and 9/2/1 for details on repair and improvements!

 

Power is supplied from a connection block wired from the main controller, the cable is fitted to two magnetic terminals via the metal inserts from a connection block. 

The terminal wires are fed through small holes in the base of the traverser - supported with semi-rigid plastic sleeves (cotton bud sticks!) 

 

IMG_20210125_152601913.jpg.6e843faa752fd33b4d1bc4d152e5bfcb.jpg

 

The track receives power from 20mm bolts that go through the traverser deck and protrude by a few millimetres, making contact with the underside of the rails (the plastic webbing is cut away to make this possible.)

 

IMG_20210125_152704251.jpg.186241561639dce098991967a89d7c0c.jpg

 

IMG_20210125_152625841.jpg.c498148528e0c5ef0d72e025d1e07e2a.jpg

 

Today, I have only laid the front and rear sections of track - mainly because these were the slightly more complex pieces to do, and their position governs that of the other lines.  Other lines will be added in the future.

 

The rearmost track receives power from a direct connection to the front track, as well as (when drawn forward) from the magnetic connecters.  It also has a siding that works in the traditional way, leaving one track unpowered and one line live - depending on the position of the points.

Connecting the rear track to the front was the simplest method I came up with to allow traffic to use the rear of the layout without more complex and separate wiring, switches and terminals.  

 

IMG_20210125_152715192.jpg.1e1338a92955b8cedc9e39ff9a136bab.jpg

 

The height of the deck is adjustable by two brackets on the underside that are fitted with rubber washers for added support.

 

IMG_20210125_152732862.jpg.818bc40622c647f26527e5309ce295df.jpg

 

 I've built and used a traverser like this before and was very pleased with it.  Looking forward to adding the middle lines and getting on with some less restricted operating! 

 

Cheers for looking in. 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Ray Von

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  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

That's a clever arrangement. It may the forced perspective, but the traverser looks almost as long as the layout? If so, is that to accommodate trains that will be full length of the layout? Not a critique, just curious as I have considered something similar.

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Ray Von
2 hours ago, Mikkel said:

That's a clever arrangement. It may the forced perspective, but the traverser looks almost as long as the layout? If so, is that to accommodate trains that will be full length of the layout? Not a critique, just curious as I have considered something similar.

Thanks, it's just forced perspective.  The traverser is 60cm, the layout is over twice that length.

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  • RMweb Gold
scottystitch
  • RMweb Gold

Nice idea re the bolts providing track power.  Have you solder the tops of the bolts to the underside of the rails or are they just making contact?

 

Best

 

Scott.

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Ray Von
50 minutes ago, scottystitch said:

Nice idea re the bolts providing track power.  Have you solder the tops of the bolts to the underside of the rails or are they just making contact?

 

Best

 

Scott.

They're not soldered, I don't own a soldering iron - I might consider doing it if I did.  There doesn't seem to be any problem re: contact though.

Cheers.

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