lefrog97 Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Recently I built a 10 switch point control panel using 10 gaugemaster on-off-on momentary contact toggle switches. Can I use standard DC power through these to control the right-left movement of a servo to control my layout points; or would I be better off sticking to standard solenoid motors? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 25, 2014 I suspect that you would'nt get much luck on the servos as I think they need a continuous controlled output. I would stick to using the switches to control standard solenboid motors. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 You will need to get a servo controller interface with your servos. Some will accept momentary input to move them which will be suitable for your existing controls but others will require specific wiring of the controls or need constant switching rather than momentary. It will be worth using the servos for nice slow motion operation of the points, and with servos being cheaper than solenoids there will be a saving to offset the cost of the controller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrog97 Posted April 26, 2014 Author Share Posted April 26, 2014 You will need to get a servo controller interface with your servos. Some will accept momentary input to move them which will be suitable for your existing controls but others will require specific wiring of the controls or need constant switching rather than momentary. It will be worth using the servos for nice slow motion operation of the points, and with servos being cheaper than solenoids there will be a saving to offset the cost of the controller. Thanks for the advice. Any recommendations for the type of servo/controller interface to use? And where they could potentially be sourced? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 I think that the Signalist SC2 or ESU Switchpilot Servo will do what you need with minimal rewiring of your control panel. Try Coastal DCC, they usually have the best price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Thanks for the advice. Any recommendations for the type of servo/controller interface to use? And where they could potentially be sourced? Have you seen the new Peco SmartSwitch range of servo point motors and their servo controller? http://www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=Switch2014 . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Have you seen the new Peco SmartSwitch range of servo point motors and their servo controller? http://www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=Switch2014 I don't think that it will work with momentary switches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 And it won't save you any money either, to really get the cost benefit of Servos you have to go for a kit controller such as MERG do, or the cheap Servo test boards from Ebayhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multi-Servo-Tester-3CH-ECS-Consistency-Master-Checker-Speed-Controler-CCPM-HE-/141120717736?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item20db7343a8 Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted May 2, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 2, 2014 An alternative way of using servos, which will work with your switches. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82007-servo-motor-conversion-for-simple-dc-use/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CourthsVeil Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 An alternative way of using servos, which will work with your switches. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82007-servo-motor-conversion-for-simple-dc-use/ I tried it - it's a reliable and well working method to switch points. 1.5 volt are sufficient to make a servo work. My only remark to the description in the above link: I would not bother to unsolder the wires – just cut em (thus no danger to melt the case). Also instead of soldering the middle wire back into the inside of the body, I did cut it at the 3-wire-connector. Here's a circuit diagram for two points: Instead of momentary contacts I use DPDT switches; these indicate the setting of the resp. point (the other poles are used to polarize the resp. frog - not shown here). But, since I couldn't obtain on-off-on switches I had to add the two momentary buttons (shown near the servo motors). Regards Armin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrog97 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 An alternative way of using servos, which will work with your switches. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82007-servo-motor-conversion-for-simple-dc-use/[/quote Brilliant! Is this applicable to any make/model of servo or is it specific to the ones you mention? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 It can be applied to any servo. All you are doing is using the servo as a cheap source for a motor and gearbox, and throwing away the most useful part (the electronics to make it stop at the ends) Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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