making tracks Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 New arrival to the UK is the Smartswitch servo operated point control system for O , HO /OO and N gauges. With 9 adjustable throw speeds, the servo unit and PCB supports Analouge and DCC power modes, and supports DCC routing. In addition they perform live frog automatic switching - ensuring no short circuits. Also there are outputs for your indicator board and automatic signal switching. These could also be used for many other operating features such as semaphore signal or level crossing gates. There are some demonstration videos made by the manufacturer on YouTube. Distributors are a company called Locolines Ltd on 01268 729499 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Any dimensions, images or other useful links to them in use ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 http://www3.telus.ne...martswitch.html seems to be what is being talked about. A sort of production version of the system you could previously assemble with bits from MERG. edit: Or you could buy the servo driving accessory decoder from ESU for DCC. The special bit is probably that it comes with the servos so you don't have to source them on eBay and custom mounting brackets for them. From the US prices its competitive with Tortoise based solutions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
making tracks Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 thanks for adding the link Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Hmmm makes the trusty Tortoise look positively cheap !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Hmmm makes the trusty Tortoise look positively cheap !! Not sure about that, its about £48 for 4 Tortoise from most shows now plus the switches. I think these are more useful though for signals and level crossings etc where the position control is useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
making tracks Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 these are retailing in the UK for 89.99 for a set of 4 motors ,with all the wires, switches , live frog circuit board AND a DCC decoder to suit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted September 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 22, 2011 NCE Switch-8 will provide DCC control for 8 turnouts for around £40, or £20 for a set of 4. So using these + Tortoises comes to £68 per set of 4 compared to £90 for the Smartswitch ones. So what do you get for the extra outlay? Tortoises have been around for a long time and have proven reliability. What's the reliability of these new ones? Tortoises have two changeover switches built-in, one of which can be used for frog polarity and which would seem a much simpler solution than a "power routing frog". Plus looking at the parts you get for a set of these, it would seem to be a bit more work to install. Just my initial thoughts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Since MERG was mentioned, from MERG, set of 4 Servos £12 Servo driver board £5.50 Relay board for polarity switching £9.00 Decoder £9.50 Total for 4 points £36, and you can delete any parts you don't need. The £18 subscription is more than covered by the savings from the first 4 points. Regards Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted September 23, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 23, 2011 That's the way I'd go keith, but then I am a member However, it works out about the same price as using TT300s so for those that don't want to get down to the nuts and bolts it's a competitive option if you've got a few points to control..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
making tracks Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share Posted September 23, 2011 Do the above mentioned ones also come complete with a Stationary DCC decoder to work the 4 servos ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 The problem with a DCC decoder included is that it is a throw away item for those who use DC, thus offers no benefit. However the TT300's are DCC ready so would make a suitable comparison, they are also simple "plug and play" not requiring the spaghetti of wires/ boards and switches that these or the MERG offering provide. As with all these "new" entrants there are some positive characteristics but the main test is reliability and experience of use. Changing from what you know works to something that you have to take the manufacturer's word that it works with no distinct selling advantage (like the price) simply asks for risk takers. My problem is that I have many Tortoises and can buy them at US prices when/if I need more. I have used them for years without any serious issue. I find them incredibly simple to install and operate. That is a big challenge for any newcomer to beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Do the above mentioned ones also come complete with a Stationary DCC decoder to work the 4 servos ? Yes. The downside with the MERG one is that you have to build the board up which is why I described this as a production version of that. If you can hold a soldering iron £36 vs £90 is a bit of a saving. The TT300 doesn't seem to be a servo, its a motor that stalls in the same way as a Tortoise.It wouldn't be much use for other applications without some springy wire between it and the device due to the set range of movement. Kenton, its hardly spaghetti, most DCC users are used to powering 4 or 8 motors from a central board, your DC system must be worse if you have wires going to board edges or back to a central panel compared to a 2 wire accessory bus and a 2 wire 12 volt dc bus? For DC you'd save a small amount on this getting the one without DCC decoder if that one is sold in the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted September 23, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 23, 2011 The problem with a DCC decoder included is that it is a throw away item for those who use DC, thus offers no benefit. You can buy the Smartswitch in basic mode without the decoders, and also without the power routing frogs. All 4 options are described in the link in post #3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
making tracks Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Yes you can buy the Smartswitch in many different ways as RFS mentions. I mentioned the A004 one with the full package, as an example. I have found the ones I fitted to our fiddle yard very nice indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 You can buy the Smartswitch in basic mode without the decoders, and also without the power routing frogs.  All 4 options are described in the link in post #3. Yes and it was the price on that linked site that I was using for comparison (ie without DCC vs Tortoise without DCC) I cannot think of any use for a point motor that does not have frog switching built in - though I can see some use in signal control and crossing gates. I see this as an example as another string to the bow but not one I would be persuaded to pluck just for point control - reliability and ease of use every time and for me cost has less bearing. So even if it was considerably cheaper (like the MERG solution) I wouldn't be trialing it. Of course it is everyone's choice on what they experiment with in the hobby so it is always good to hear of such developments. But I willl continue to recommend Tortoise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napa1985 Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 So has anyone used the smartswitch systems ?????? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class37418stag Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 hello anyone know website address based united kingdom of smartswitch point control because i dont want pay custom charge from canada to uk that why i am saving money and do want buy that slow point thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 hello anyone know website address based united kingdom of smartswitch point control because i dont want pay custom charge from canada to uk that why i am saving money and do want buy that slow point thank you Someone in theUK will have to pay those charges and then VAT. You could only "avoid" it if they were bought* in Canada and personally brought back in your luggage. You might save the charge made by the courier to reclaim from customs but then set against that would be the shipping costs from the UK supplier who may add a considerable premium for exchange rate losses and personal profit margin. In the end many of these items turn out to be more expensive if purchased in the UK. A perfect example is the Tortoise point motor, now close to double the price of one bought in a mail order shop in the US, shipped to a US address and then brought back in personal luggage (rendition). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren01 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Hi Unless I am very much mistaken,they look like aircraft servos. Which you can buy for under £5.00 and using a two pole switch to set the polarity,if you are using DC. Darren01 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Peter Beckett Posted May 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 28, 2013 So has anyone used the smartswitch systems ?????? I have been using their system for operating my semaphore signals and they are also interlocked electrically with the respective points. They are easy to set up. In Australia the agent is Timesaver Layouts http://www.timesaverlayouts.com/ Also the NRMA Australian site http://www.nmra.org.au/ has a few tips and downloads Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Looks similar to Minx Microdrives, which is UK based. http://minxmicrodrives.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meil Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Hi Unless I am very much mistaken,they look like aircraft servos. Which you can buy for under £5.00 and using a two pole switch to set the polarity,if you are using DC. Darren01 You can buy suitable servos from Giantshark.co.uk for about £2.50. Look for TowerPro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napa1985 Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Looks similar to Minx Microdrives, which is UK based. http://minxmicrodrives.com/ these look good would like to see some more pics tho Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napa1985 Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Since MERG was mentioned, from MERG, set of 4 Servos £12 Servo driver board £5.50 Relay board for polarity switching £9.00 Decoder £9.50 Total for 4 points £36, and you can delete any parts you don't need. The £18 subscription is more than covered by the savings from the first 4 points. Regards Keith cheers Keith i'm already a merg member just playing with loads of ideas even mounting a rasp pi as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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