With double ended yards, turnouts can be controlled in pairs as long as there is sufficient power from the controller for it. I am most likely going to use the Digitrax DS64 stationary decoder to control the routes and turnouts for this particular project and have tested it and know that it's output can handle it.
This drawing represents how the turnout motors are wired in pairs to the outputs of the stationary decoder. Green squares represent Tortoise machines. Pairs 2 and 3 will be wired to outputs 2 and 3 but were left off for clarity.
I used 22 gauge stranded wire for this part. A different color wire twisted with a black wire is used for each pair of turnouts. I normally like to use Euro type terminal strips for my under layout wiring but as I had so many of the standard screw type in a box I decided to use these for the turnout control wiring.
This photo shows the terminal strip at the entry end of the yard with wires going off to each of the Tortoise motors. The extra screws will be for the entry turnout that forms the reverse loop.
The 22 gauge wire can either be tinned and bent around the screws or a lug can be crimped on, both ways are shown here.
This photo shows how I am testing each pair with 10 volts from a DC power supply.
After the yard is installed, the connections to the controller will be made from this terminal strip.
If it is discovered during testing that one turnout of a pair is operating backwards, then it is easy to reverse the connections at that turnout as shown in this photo.
At this point all of the track and wiring that can be done with the module on it's edge are done and it's time to install it in it's place in the layout.
Pretty neat Brad.
ReplyDeleteRod.