Brian Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Hattons have released a new solinoid point motor called the HAT PM1While 'new' it's based on an older H&M point motor design, but without the built in change over switching these motors used to have. This may appear on later models perhaps?http://www.ehattons.com/185267/Hattons_HAT_PM_01_Pack_of_6_Solenoid_point_motor_including_pin_extension_and_2_way_arm_for_use_wit/StockDetail.aspx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG John Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 It doesn't have the additional crank that can go through the baseboard that the H&M has. I used to use the two cranks under the baseboard with a wire through both of them to operate points. The relative position of the two cranks could be changed for adjustment. It looks more solid than the Peco ones though. Not that I need any, as I think I've got enough H&Ms for my future needs! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted May 27, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27, 2016 Although the H&M was great in its day, a bit surprising to see them reintroduce it now when many people are going to servos, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 Servos involve electronic circuit boards in their control that are not needed with a solinoid motor. The extra cost of the electronics can put some layout builders off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakydoke Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 With such a wide choice of servos and slow motion motors available, I'm surprised that Solenoids are still lingering on, never mind a new one being introduced. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE1562 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 looks similar to the peco and gaugemaster type and still needs the adaptors or some form of frog switching which puts up the cost, also taking this into account if dcc it needs a accessory decoder... I would opt for the gfb designs solenoid point motor which has the decoder and cdu built in.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassman_58 Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 With such a wide choice of servos and slow motion motors available, I'm surprised that Solenoids are still lingering on, never mind a new one being introduced. Unfortunately for folks like me, the mention of servos, circuit boards and other similar terms, causes me to glaze over or come out in a cold sweat! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 With such a wide choice of servos and slow motion motors available, I'm surprised that Solenoids are still lingering on, never mind a new one being introduced. Each to their own. Solenoids work, are simple to install, reliable and are cheap. I have no need for servos and the cost of the electronics to control them. I also don't see any advantage of servos to justify the additional cost. Would agree that this one seems like an unnecessary addition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted November 15, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2016 (edited) It doesn't have the additional crank that can go through the baseboard that the H&M has. I used to use the two cranks under the baseboard with a wire through both of them to operate points. The relative position of the two cranks could be changed for adjustment. It looks more solid than the Peco ones though. Not that I need any, as I think I've got enough H&Ms for my future needs! According to the Hattons description it does have an extension to the pin for below baseboard fitting and also cranks for operating signals. Nice to see some robust old technology back. Edited November 15, 2016 by Colin_McLeod Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 The old H&M's were good for their time, but quite vicious and power thirsty.. I have inadvertently changed an H&M point with wagons sat on top! Gordon A . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG John Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 The old H&M's were good for their time, but quite vicious and power thirsty.. I have inadvertently changed an H&M point with wagons sat on top! Gordon A . I'll probably use them on my O gauge layout. The baseboards were free (old doors), and the track was free (from an RMweb member), so using H&M motors I've had for 40 years seems the right thing to do! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 A friend of mine down the road a few doors away is using these Hattons point motors on his developing 0 gauge new build with great success, Theres a surprising number of model railways on our estate, only last week whilst walking the dog past a house where the garage door was open I noticed a Blue period station sign on the wall for Formby station, below which were baseboards, yet another layout under construction! We are way off topic now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted October 22, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 22, 2020 I've got some vintage H&M point motors (solenoid) here. Re-appraising this, it would appear that the polarity switching facility on these are a bit 'sus'. Probably not a fault of the solenoid, per se, just age. I've just ordered a newer Hattons solenoid, to have a possible look at adding microswitches to the solenoid bar. I'm loath to let these older solenoids go. They are as tough as old boot, and IMHO, fully capable of add-ons & upgrades. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted October 23, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 23, 2020 I had a new Hatton's point motor delivered today. A nice looking thing, about 20% smaller than its earlier predecessor. The wiring loom portion come pre-assembled, which is a positive improvement on some of the older H&M motors have, with blobs of solder here & there. Sad to say though, some of the build quality appears to be sadly lacking in the newer model. There is no over-centre latching that the H&M motor has, and the operating arm is very slack. The upshot is that the centre operating bar can slop back & forth in an uncontrolled manner. I assume that using say, with a Peco point, it relies upon the over-centre spring to maintain gauge. For a handbuilt point? Hmm... Not so good... Facility for frog polarity switching is missing. That said, some of my old H&M motors have failed in that respect (due to age ) and I intended to retrofit these with microswitches . The operating crossbar vis -a- vis the operating horns is not that good, TBH. Having a 1.5mm rod inside a 3.2mm hole is, as I've said, a bit sloppy. Perhaps the rod needs some sleeving. I must stress that these notes are observations. I've bought a couple to assess these with an idea to using them for points. These are capable for upgrading to accept accessories, and they are (or should be ) cost effective. If Hattons make a second batch, I hope they address the shortcomings from the first ones. I think I'll be staying with new servos and the old but good H&M motors. Cheers, Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now