Subject:
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An updated reciprocal point motor design with semaphore
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Thu, 28 Mar 2002 02:48:29 GMT
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Viewed:
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542 times
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I decided to combine Jeff Elliott's and Steve Ringe's recent point motor
designs.
Jeff's contained most of the features I was looking for:
1. Reciprocal motion - current from a power source can be applied in a
single direction to throw the switch in both directions
2. Compact - less elements
3. Uses newer 9v Technic motor
4. Minimal special elements
5. Durable - won't self-destruct. A child could operate it.
Refer to thread http://news.lugnet.com/org/ca/rtltoronto/?n=3401 for details
on his design. However, I wanted to increase the action cycle time of
Jeff's motor from about 4 seconds down to about 2 seconds. That allows more
time to catch last second switches when you're distracted with the rest of
the layout. Jeff's discussion lead me to the semaphore addition, and I
found Steve's thread just the other day.
Steve's, while compact and uses the desired motor, also contained a great
feature that indicated the position of the switch from a remote location. I
liked the simulation of a traditional top-of-mast yard signal with something
like a colored spectacle and arm. However, I wanted the position of the
signal to range from 180 degrees (straight up) to 90 degrees (parallel to
ground) with 180 being a non-thrown switch, and 90 indicating a thrown
switch. A thrown switch diverts trains from the main line/straight path in
my book. I didn't want to modify my turnouts to fit his design, however.
Nothing wrong with that, but I was looking to accept the challenge of
working with the factory design of the turnout. Refer to thread
http://news.lugnet.com/org/us/michlug/?n=2689 for background on his design.
So, I put a smaller worm-driven drive gear in place of Jeff's design, added
some width and a different roof. I added the Technic engine crankshaft
(http://guide.lugnet.com/partsref/search.cgi?q=2853) to the side of the
switch house, and used it to drive a top-of-mast semaphore with colored 1x1
round plates on an arm that ranges between 90 and 180 degrees. Like Steve,
the colors indicate switch units, and are not meant to replicate spectacles.
The design lets me detach the semaphore quite easily for places where I
don't want it, and the whole thing is 8-wide compatable (EWC). I had a
rough prototype at the recent LUCNY meeting, and John Rudy noticed my
embarassing use of pink plates. They're gone, John. Chief Wayne requested
an EWC design, and therefore I made it so. ;^)
Here's a folder with some photos of the finished design, but I'm sure I'll
have more enhancements in future versions:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=14344
I wish I could show it in action, but at least I used large jpg files!
Thanks for reading, and thanks again to Jeff and Steve for sharing _their_
designs.
Ed
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