My CSX/NS HO Railroad Part 16B "Installing Tortoise Switch Machines"

Part B of Video 16

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HO
• Railroad
• CSX
• Norfolk
• Southern

[Doriguin]

I went to Home Depot and asked for 18 gauge stranded wire. They gave me a look of complete bafflement. Apparently, or so they tell me, the only 18 gauge wire they ever heard of was coiled telephone wire. Anyone with real experiance know where to get 18 gauge stranded? Thanks.

[flymanjg]

@Doriguin Radio Shack or Walmart in the automotive section.  They have it in Black or Red.

[swanman1975]

First off: why are you useing power routeing frogs? Would it not be much simpler to use insulfrogs?

second: If your paying that much for your tortoise machines then your getting raped!

I think that's the highest price I have seen them.

Other than that Kool videos. still showed me a few things I didn't know. Looks like you got a cool layout designed there.

[flymanjg]

Yeah, that one tortoise did cost a little more. Did not pay the listed price as my local hobby shop gives me a break. The rest of the tortoise switch machines were purchased as six packs so the price was a lot less.

All of my switches are Atlas which are insulated. The only reason I power the frogs is for reliability and to be able to run any type of locomotive with a short wheel base at a crawl (real sloooow).

[TheJoePaul]

why DPDT momentary not needed ? is that also a benifit of having a tortoise switch,something built in, darn and I have already purchased all my under layout atlas switch machines

[flymanjg]

The Tortoise switch machines have two sets of DPDT switches built in. I use one set to power my turnout frog and the other to power my led signals. You need resistors on the led because of the high track voltage 14 + volts.

If you already have Atlas switch machines, you can buy Atlas#200 switch relays and connect then in line with you Atlas switch machines. These too have two DPDT switchs where you can power your frogs and power you signals. Hope this helps.

[CSXandSpartanfan33]

Cool

[177987auprr1]

Nice vid!

[mechanic708]

like to see the wabbit wired up cousin to the hare

[Silver1Sprg]

Really learned a lot from your videos.  I'm using Peco switches. I assume you use the same? Is there a cheaper switch that works just as good? The big question is, using a DPDT switch with center off is your kind of switch for controlling the Tortoise machine. Can you use one with no center off switch? Leaving it in one position, will that eventually burn out your Tortoise with continued power in one position??? How can you use Tortoise to power LED lights to indicate position of switch?

[mandela901]

I like what you did. I would like to see how you solder your wires to the tortoise motor itself and see how you connect them to the terminal strip.

[Fastedzz]

Nice videos. I think I've watched every one you've done.

[TLMatt]

Love the video. I all makes finally !!!! sense. Excellent explained.

I live in a small town in Canada and a hobby shop is 4h away, so answers are not easy to come by. Could not do it without guys like you. I love you man (((-:

Thank you so much

[littleninjai]

@cjc3000 yeah my dad has the same problem not understanding the instruction sheet.