I talked to Berrett about a year ago also on this subject. Glad to see he got it released. Looks like a good solution for controlling the Walthers turnout controllers.
I think I picked up the Walthers switch machines on sale a couple years ago at around $15 per. Looks like they are slightly more now but still well worth it. The buttons doubled the cost, so really not worth it if trying to go "cheap". But to me, this was my "perfect solution" for what I wanted. If I wanted to go cheap I could have put in 50 cent push buttons and accomplished almost the same thing (no status lights).
Technically yes, if using a motor then the spring is no longer needed and should probably be removed. I was more making the point that when I used Peco I didnt need motors at all. With Atlas I was forced to use some type of motor or ground throw. An interesting note, a walthers motor is powerful enough to throw a peco switch with the spring still installed!
That would work as well, yes. I was mainly after a "touch" type button that would be nicely mounted on the fascia as well as having it lit indicating what position the switch is in at a quick glance.
Those switch machines are great but not cheap at all when you factor in all you need to operate them i prefer arduino and quality servo motors they can be bought cheap in bulk.
You have peaked my curiosity. What do you mean by "all you need to operate"? These machines come out of the box with DCC and additional switches to power frogs. There is nothing else needed, I have been running them this way for several years. I am in on these for about $15 per machine. I could not find anything else at the time with the same functionality for the same price. (As I mentioned in this video, I added these lighted toggle switches and they do add a lot of cost, but again these are above and beyond and the switch machines work find without them. A simple $.25 button switch will also work if you wanted fascia control) I will admit, I have never messed with arduinos and servo motors. It is my understanding that there would be some programming involved? And would they have the ability to control the polarity of a frog? What kind of prices would those be? I am genuinely curious and want to learn more about these. Thanks!
I talked to Berrett about a year ago also on this subject. Glad to see he got it released. Looks like a good solution for controlling the Walthers turnout controllers.
So far it is exactly what I was looking for! I am looking forward to getting them all installed.
Very interesting. What is your average total price per turnout for the complete package?
I think I picked up the Walthers switch machines on sale a couple years ago at around $15 per. Looks like they are slightly more now but still well worth it. The buttons doubled the cost, so really not worth it if trying to go "cheap". But to me, this was my "perfect solution" for what I wanted. If I wanted to go cheap I could have put in 50 cent push buttons and accomplished almost the same thing (no status lights).
Interesting video again from you, you used Peko before, shouldn't the springs be removed? I'm going to use servo motors and Ardruino. Roy in Brasil
Technically yes, if using a motor then the spring is no longer needed and should probably be removed. I was more making the point that when I used Peco I didnt need motors at all. With Atlas I was forced to use some type of motor or ground throw. An interesting note, a walthers motor is powerful enough to throw a peco switch with the spring still installed!
What you want is a momentary DPDT switch
That would work as well, yes. I was mainly after a "touch" type button that would be nicely mounted on the fascia as well as having it lit indicating what position the switch is in at a quick glance.
Those switch machines are great but not cheap at all when you factor in all you need to operate them i prefer arduino and quality servo motors they can be bought cheap in bulk.
You have peaked my curiosity. What do you mean by "all you need to operate"? These machines come out of the box with DCC and additional switches to power frogs. There is nothing else needed, I have been running them this way for several years. I am in on these for about $15 per machine. I could not find anything else at the time with the same functionality for the same price. (As I mentioned in this video, I added these lighted toggle switches and they do add a lot of cost, but again these are above and beyond and the switch machines work find without them. A simple $.25 button switch will also work if you wanted fascia control) I will admit, I have never messed with arduinos and servo motors. It is my understanding that there would be some programming involved? And would they have the ability to control the polarity of a frog? What kind of prices would those be? I am genuinely curious and want to learn more about these. Thanks!
As a stranger to this channel, I'm over two minutes in, & have no idea what you're talking about. Bye!
Thanks for visiting!