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In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote:
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Features:
- Small (main body is 4x8 studs and 5 bricks tall)
- Fits within standard 8-stud track spacing
- Quick switching time (less than 0.1 second)
- Uses unmodified switch
- Semaphore-like arm indicates switch position
- Uses small number of common parts
This approach does exert a lot of force, but not on the switch lever itself.
Instead, the 4x3 panels absorb the hit when switching. After a while the
roof tends to lift a bit, but after about 200 iterations the thing still
hadn’t self-destructed. Perhaps a second 4x8 plate on the roof will stiffen
things up a bit.
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Does the motor stall at each limit?
You could probably reduce the “problem cars” issue with an axle connector and
extension (move the motor further away from the switch lever) and reduce the
size of the housing a bit.
ROSCO
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In lugnet.trains, Ross Crawford wrote:
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Does the motor stall at each limit?
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Yes, it does. I’ve been using it with this
battery box and all I
need to do is tap on one of the buttons to get it to switch. I’ve also been
running it with LACC with the throw time set to 0.1 second and this works great.
Haven’t tried it yet with a pole reverser, but you probably want to be quick.
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You could probably reduce the “problem cars” issue with an axle connector and
extension (move the motor further away from the switch lever) and reduce the
size of the housing a bit.
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Great observation! That allows the 4x8 house to perfectly straddle the joint
between the switch and the next piece of track. If the 4x6 switch version
doesn’t work out, I’ll put together some instructions with your suggestion.
Mark
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In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote:
| |
In lugnet.trains, Ross Crawford wrote:
| |
You could probably reduce the “problem cars” issue with an axle connector
and extension (move the motor further away from the switch lever) and reduce
the size of the housing a bit.
|
Great observation! That allows the 4x8 house to perfectly straddle the joint
between the switch and the next piece of track. If the 4x6 switch version
doesn’t work out, I’ll put together some instructions with your suggestion.
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Ok, Dave is right, this is fun!
So, I added the axle joiner and this is what it looks like now:
Moving the housing back allowed the signal arm to be simplified. Since the
housing was moved back, there’s now more clearance (about 1/2 stud laterally).
I also beefed up the base attachment to help deal with uneven surfaces like
carpet.
Only the 4x6 unit has shown a tendency to self-destruct. The previous 4x8
design has been holding together just fine, but this new design should be even
more stable and it’s been able to take everything I’ve dished out. :-)
The modifications to the 4x6 design (which I’m not sure even work) actually made
it enough larger that I don’t know that it’s worth pursuing if it can’t be held
down to the original 4x6 size (hey, maybe Elmer’s will help...).
Anyway, here’s the LDraw file:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/markril/Trains/TSwitch3/tswitch3.ldr
Folder when moderated:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=66120
Thanks for the suggestion, Ross!
Mark
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In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote:
| |
In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote:
| |
In lugnet.trains, Ross Crawford wrote:
| |
You could probably reduce the “problem cars” issue with an axle connector
and extension (move the motor further away from the switch lever) and
reduce the size of the housing a bit.
|
Great observation! That allows the 4x8 house to perfectly straddle the
joint between the switch and the next piece of track. If the 4x6 switch
version doesn’t work out, I’ll put together some instructions with your
suggestion.
|
Anyway, here’s the LDraw file:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/markril/Trains/TSwitch3/tswitch3.ldr
Folder when moderated:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=66120
Thanks for the suggestion, Ross!
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No problem! I might even build some of these myself...
ROSCO
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