Tom Servo

[wm3798]

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/singletservodecoder.html

At $15.95 a piece (for the 10-pack) these things are JMRI capable, have a built in decoder, and are dirt cheap.  (Compare to around $25 a piece for a tortoise, clip strip and decoder).

I'll be mustering the resources to use these on the yard, which potentially could allow me to automate every switch in the throats.

Lee

[sizemore]

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/singletservodecoder.html

At $15.95 a piece (for the 10-pack) these things are JMRI capable, have a built in decoder, and are dirt cheap.  (Compare to around $25 a piece for a tortoise, clip strip and decoder).

I'll be mustering the resources to use these on the yard, which potentially could allow me to automate every switch in the throats.

Lee

I think I've found what I will be using on that future layout.... Thats flipping phenominal!

The S.

[conrail98]

I know the folks over at the ModelRailcast have some videos and audio content up on how they've implemented these things,

Phil

[Ian MacMillan]

Very nice. After viewing the website and videos I am going with these as well.

[Ian MacMillan]

I ordered a few to try them out. What I like is being able to drive crossovers with a Y cable and one decoder since the servos are only $4.50 a pop for the small ones.

[Ian MacMillan]

Just got mine in and I hopefuly will be able to get them installed on my days off tomorrow to see how they work out.

[wm3798]

I'll be following this with considerable interest... lots of installation photos, please.

[Ian MacMillan]

I got a chance to get the two I ordered installed today, about 15min a piece.

I first had planned that only the main line switches would be powered and that the industrial trackage would use manual push rods on the fascia. Hell but at $16 a pop in bulk I decided to put em on everything. Plus they are very small and fit just about anywhere.

I decided to use a crank style movement for the turnouts and not the pivot point. I bought some K&S 1/16 brass tubing and ran the wire that comes with the servos through it. I put 2 90 degree bends at the top to hook into the switch rod. The brass rod runs through the servo mount and then 2 more bends on the wire to the servo arm.  The servo mount is held to my foam benchwork with the included double sided tape and it is STRONG. I did add the two included screws just in case.

Up front programing of the servo was a snap. Just move the jumper to pins 1 and 2 and it automatically searches for the throw needed for Normal/Reverse. When it's done put the jumper back on pins 2 and 3 and you are ready to go.  Out of the box the speed is set at 5 which looks realistic for a hand thrown switch. I may change the CV to 3 just to slow it down some more.

There is a set of pads for a remote mounted SPST momentary switch, so I will be adding those and changing out the LEDS to a smaller size when I make my control panels.

For $20 each or $16 each in bulk these are a pretty good buy. The only thing I may change is that I may use a finer piano wire than what comes with the servos. I will have photos and videos up later.

[wm3798]

Glad you like it!


Now, I have to start looking for stuff to sell off so I can get my 10 pack!

Lee

[Ian MacMillan]

Some photos of the install. More photos and video to come later.

[Ian MacMillan]

And a quick vid.

[Pomperaugrr]

Ian,

How are the two test units holding up?  I'm strongly consideringthese for my layout and appreciate any feedback you have.  Are the mounting brackets worth getting, or can these just be hot glued to scrap styrene?

Eric

[Ian MacMillan]

They are holding up very well. I ordered 20 more last week and they should be in a a few days.

You can glue them to styrene if you want, but I'm getting the brackets because for $2.50 its pretty much already done for you.

[Jim Costello]

 It looks I will use this method also.  Ian, what servo are you using?  I am using fast tracks code 55 with solid point blades

Jim

[Pomperaugrr]

They are holding up very well. I ordered 20 more last week and they should be in a a few days.

You can glue them to styrene if you want, but I'm getting the brackets because for $2.50 its pretty much already done for you.

Good point on the brackets.  Do the 9g servos come with the decoder when you buy the singlets?  They look like the perfect size.  One more question, how easy does it look to replace the big yellow LEDs.  I'm hoping to substitute really small red and green LEDs for fascia indicators, but don't want to mess up the board.  It looks like an easy swap from the photos I've seen.

Eric