Ian interestingly I have also used the Rails point motors with the decoder albeit the below board version and also had problems with 3 out of 6 decoders. No single issue were identified by the OEM, DCC Concepts and Rails replaced without quibble. However I think great care and prior testing needs to be undertaken before fitting these to your layout. PS I think your methodological approach to creating your layout is very sensible compared to my throw it all down method
Ooh, now that's really good information to know, thanks! Two of the three surface mount decoders I have work fine, but I've also got three under track solenoids from Rails that have the same decoder, but I haven't tested them yet! The solenoids themselves are fine, as there's very little that can go wrong with them! I have a plan-B for the decoders though, in that I'm going to be using DCC Concepts ADS-8sx accessory decoders in other parts of the layout that can handle 8 solenoids at a time, although they're a little pricey! Haha! You call it methodical, but I call it slow! I'm really just reminding myself of what I can and can't do at the moment, and I'm not really in any rush! Thanks again for the information! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian - Love your videos mate. On the layout all my point motors will be underneath but in the fiddle yard they will be on top, so I really like the idea of using piano wire. Keep the videos and tips coming. Regards Chris
Hi Chris! Thanks very much! Yeah, these surface mounted ones will only be behind the scenic break board, and in my fiddle yard when I eventually get around to adding one! Piano wire is good stuff as it doesn't flex much and can be cut into longer lengths than a paperclip! All the best, Ian.
G'day Ian, nice thinking with the paperclip! The previous method where you made a rather large hole underneath the track is a bit of work trying to cover it, etc. but I'm no expert! It's interesting to see all these different methods and how they go. All the best for now. John
Hi John! Thank you! I'm still going to have to make some rather large holes unfortunately, but I've got some ideas about how to make them a bit more presentable coming up in another video! I'm quite enjoying investigating these different methods and it's good practice to see what I'll be able to achieve when working on the actual layout! I must admit though that the Kato unitrack system looks like it makes things much easier when it comes to wiring up points! All the best, Ian.
@@johnneville7273 - Hi John, it's called XPS foam and I'm using 10mm, 20mm, 30mm and 40mm thicknesses. If you want to embed solenoid point motors in it you'll need at least 30mm. Cheers, Ian.
Thanks Stephen! Haha! I chose pink as I thought it would show up well in the video! I'll be choosing a much more conservative metallic rusty brown if any are visible on the eventual layout! Cheers, Ian.
As an RC plane modeller, I would have suggested using RC plane control push rods & clevises (see Google) used for operating Ailerons etc from servos, as a cheap and adjustable way of operating switches.
Hi Paul - sexy diagrams - love it 😅. Clever use of a paper clip though. Must check my code 55 points I'm installing as I only thought there were only 3 part drilled pin holes 🕳 😳. Cheers Euan
Hi Euan! Thanks! I had paper clips all over the place on my old OO layout and was really pleased that they could be slid beneath the code 80 track I'm using too! I've not used code 55 so am not sure how many part drilled holes they have but I'm interested to know if you check! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, this is an interesting and timely video as I am considering doing a similar installation. Here is a question for you, Is it possible to hook the wires up to a couple of points that are on the same track and have them change at the same time? Thanks in advance
Hi Charlie! It's certainly possible to change two points using the same switch / DCC command! How you wire them will depend on what hardware you've got! I'm using DCC so am planning on wiring them as normal, and will then use DCC commands to ensure that the points fire at the same time for my crossovers! If you're using solenoid point motors like I've used in this video, just make sure you've got a CDU that's powerful enough to handle multiple point motor changes simultaneously! Hope this helps! All the best, Ian.
Hi John, and thank you! I've purchased my supplies from B&Q and Amazon! It's not the cheapest material to use, but it's very flexible in what you can do with it! Cheers, Ian.
Greetings Shelfington and hello Ian 👋 can't beat a video with a sexy diagram 😳 love watching these experiments 😁 especially once no power tools are involved 😉 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️
Hi Paul! Ah, the sexy diagram, always a winner! Lol! I'm quite enjoying performing these experiments as they're easing me back into the hobby and reminding me of what I can and can't do! All the best from myself and the folk at Shelfington.
Hi Steve! Yes, they will work on a DC layout, in fact, that's how I'm demonstrating them, just with an adjustable power supply! You'll need to power them with either the accessory output of your controller, or a separate power supply. Cheers, Ian.
I always wonder why so many cables, the whole rail system has constant power, why people don't use a i2c protocol signals straight on the rails, and then use the power also for the motors ... no cables at all ... just need to get a i2c adjusted and more robust on whatever volts the rails use ... you then can control 255 devices on the track system, independent on their order, plug & play and they work again Interesting project, subscribe to follow up how it goes :-)
Thanks for the observation! I'm not sure what i2c protocol is, but it sounds very similar to what DCC will provide you with. However, in this system, the rails only have constant power because they are supplied every few feet using dropper wires to the main DCC bus (which I think is around 15V AC). The DCC bus sends commands as well as power for the motors. If you rely on the rails only for the transfer of power, it can quickly dissipate as the track gets dirty, or through poor connectivity between track joints, or through the length of track as resistance rises. Cheers, Ian.
I don't think you will be satisfied with those surface motors all over your layout. Have you considered Servos ?.. you could easily make up a small mounting plate to mount the servo on and slot it into the hole in the foam, but far more neatly and directly under the point. Not only is it very cost effective too, but the whole points system can be controlled from your laptop by clicking on them via the mouse.. Its definitely the route I am going to go. You could even opt to make small block spacers and glue the servo to the underside of the point and by not gluing your points down too permanently could lift the whole thing out should any failures occur in the future... here is a video on the subject, it's the first one of around four videos covering how it all works. ruclips.net/video/ayOoUkdjHtg/видео.html&ab_channel=LittleWicketRailway
I agree with you, and as I say in the video, the surface mount motors aren't going to be all over my layout! They're going to be in places I can't see them (or can hide them) such as behind the scenic break board! I looked at servo motors, and while they are cheap, they're not simple to setup, and can require constant adjustment as you need to set where they start and stop. The point motors I'm using can all be controlled via DCC using the accessory decoder I showed in the video, I just happened to wire it up to a switch rather than operate it via a DCC bus command. All the best, Ian.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Love the method. If you don’t mind I will use it . Brilliant. Thank you❤
Hi Robert! Thanks! No problem - just make sure you use a bright pink paper clip! :) All the best, Ian.
Ian interestingly I have also used the Rails point motors with the decoder albeit the below board version and also had problems with 3 out of 6 decoders. No single issue were identified by the OEM, DCC Concepts and Rails replaced without quibble. However I think great care and prior testing needs to be undertaken before fitting these to your layout.
PS I think your methodological approach to creating your layout is very sensible compared to my throw it all down method
Ooh, now that's really good information to know, thanks! Two of the three surface mount decoders I have work fine, but I've also got three under track solenoids from Rails that have the same decoder, but I haven't tested them yet! The solenoids themselves are fine, as there's very little that can go wrong with them! I have a plan-B for the decoders though, in that I'm going to be using DCC Concepts ADS-8sx accessory decoders in other parts of the layout that can handle 8 solenoids at a time, although they're a little pricey! Haha! You call it methodical, but I call it slow! I'm really just reminding myself of what I can and can't do at the moment, and I'm not really in any rush! Thanks again for the information! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian - Love your videos mate.
On the layout all my point motors will be underneath but in the fiddle yard they will be on top, so I really like the idea of using piano wire.
Keep the videos and tips coming.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris! Thanks very much! Yeah, these surface mounted ones will only be behind the scenic break board, and in my fiddle yard when I eventually get around to adding one! Piano wire is good stuff as it doesn't flex much and can be cut into longer lengths than a paperclip! All the best, Ian.
Very interesting as usual Ian, cheers for now mate, John
Thanks very much John! Glad you found it interesting! More experiments with point motors coming up this week too! All the best, Ian.
G'day Ian, nice thinking with the paperclip! The previous method where you made a rather large hole underneath the track is a bit of work trying to cover it, etc. but I'm no expert! It's interesting to see all these different methods and how they go. All the best for now. John
Hi John! Thank you! I'm still going to have to make some rather large holes unfortunately, but I've got some ideas about how to make them a bit more presentable coming up in another video! I'm quite enjoying investigating these different methods and it's good practice to see what I'll be able to achieve when working on the actual layout! I must admit though that the Kato unitrack system looks like it makes things much easier when it comes to wiring up points! All the best, Ian.
Hello thanks for your reply what do they call the foam and what thickness are you using
@@johnneville7273 - Hi John, it's called XPS foam and I'm using 10mm, 20mm, 30mm and 40mm thicknesses. If you want to embed solenoid point motors in it you'll need at least 30mm. Cheers, Ian.
More successful experiments there Ian. I thought the pink paper clip would make a fetching addition to the layout. Stephen
Thanks Stephen! Haha! I chose pink as I thought it would show up well in the video! I'll be choosing a much more conservative metallic rusty brown if any are visible on the eventual layout! Cheers, Ian.
most enjoyable Ian
Thanks very much Chris!
Thanks for this great info
Glad you found it useful David! All the best, Ian.
As an RC plane modeller, I would have suggested using RC plane control push rods & clevises (see Google) used for operating Ailerons etc from servos, as a cheap and adjustable way of operating switches.
Thanks for the tip Mark! I was thinking of using piano wire but I'll definitely take a look at these! Thanks again, Ian.
Hi Paul - sexy diagrams - love it 😅. Clever use of a paper clip though. Must check my code 55 points I'm installing as I only thought there were only 3 part drilled pin holes 🕳 😳. Cheers Euan
Hi Euan! Thanks! I had paper clips all over the place on my old OO layout and was really pleased that they could be slid beneath the code 80 track I'm using too! I've not used code 55 so am not sure how many part drilled holes they have but I'm interested to know if you check! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, this is an interesting and timely video as I am considering doing a similar installation.
Here is a question for you, Is it possible to hook the wires up to a couple of points that are on the same track and have them change at the same time?
Thanks in advance
Hi Charlie! It's certainly possible to change two points using the same switch / DCC command! How you wire them will depend on what hardware you've got! I'm using DCC so am planning on wiring them as normal, and will then use DCC commands to ensure that the points fire at the same time for my crossovers! If you're using solenoid point motors like I've used in this video, just make sure you've got a CDU that's powerful enough to handle multiple point motor changes simultaneously! Hope this helps! All the best, Ian.
Hey great channel can you tell me where do you get the blue foam from.
Hi John, and thank you! I've purchased my supplies from B&Q and Amazon! It's not the cheapest material to use, but it's very flexible in what you can do with it! Cheers, Ian.
Greetings Shelfington and hello Ian 👋 can't beat a video with a sexy diagram 😳 love watching these experiments 😁 especially once no power tools are involved 😉 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️
Hi Paul! Ah, the sexy diagram, always a winner! Lol! I'm quite enjoying performing these experiments as they're easing me back into the hobby and reminding me of what I can and can't do! All the best from myself and the folk at Shelfington.
Will these work on a dc only layout?
I am not going DCC
Hi Steve! Yes, they will work on a DC layout, in fact, that's how I'm demonstrating them, just with an adjustable power supply! You'll need to power them with either the accessory output of your controller, or a separate power supply. Cheers, Ian.
I always wonder why so many cables, the whole rail system has constant power, why people don't use a i2c protocol signals straight on the rails, and then use the power also for the motors ... no cables at all ... just need to get a i2c adjusted and more robust on whatever volts the rails use ... you then can control 255 devices on the track system, independent on their order, plug & play and they work again
Interesting project, subscribe to follow up how it goes :-)
Thanks for the observation! I'm not sure what i2c protocol is, but it sounds very similar to what DCC will provide you with.
However, in this system, the rails only have constant power because they are supplied every few feet using dropper wires to the main DCC bus (which I think is around 15V AC). The DCC bus sends commands as well as power for the motors.
If you rely on the rails only for the transfer of power, it can quickly dissipate as the track gets dirty, or through poor connectivity between track joints, or through the length of track as resistance rises.
Cheers, Ian.
I don't think you will be satisfied with those surface motors all over your layout. Have you considered Servos ?.. you could easily make up a small mounting plate to mount the servo on and slot it into the hole in the foam, but far more neatly and directly under the point. Not only is it very cost effective too, but the whole points system can be controlled from your laptop by clicking on them via the mouse.. Its definitely the route I am going to go. You could even opt to make small block spacers and glue the servo to the underside of the point and by not gluing your points down too permanently could lift the whole thing out should any failures occur in the future... here is a video on the subject, it's the first one of around four videos covering how it all works.
ruclips.net/video/ayOoUkdjHtg/видео.html&ab_channel=LittleWicketRailway
I agree with you, and as I say in the video, the surface mount motors aren't going to be all over my layout! They're going to be in places I can't see them (or can hide them) such as behind the scenic break board!
I looked at servo motors, and while they are cheap, they're not simple to setup, and can require constant adjustment as you need to set where they start and stop.
The point motors I'm using can all be controlled via DCC using the accessory decoder I showed in the video, I just happened to wire it up to a switch rather than operate it via a DCC bus command.
All the best, Ian.