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All of the points have been modified to be "DCC friendly": this means isolating the frog area from the switch blades, to avoid shorts from wheel backs etc. This is a simple process involving two track cuts (Dremel cutting disc) followed by injection of epoxy. Then feeder wires are added to the left & right rails, and to the frogs. Result: a point that is absolutely reliable, with power robustly fed to all areas.
All of the points are DCC operated. I've used CML Electronics DAC10 accessory decoders: these have a LocoNet interface so they are able to report the point state to LocoNet after power up. This means that all other devices - e.g. signal controllers - will "know" the state of all of the points automatically.
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We've used SEEP PM1 point motors. These are a solenoid type motor, with a PCB construction and an integrated switch. The switch is used to provide power to the point frogs, so that it is "properly" switched. The DAC10 drive these fine: there is a 24v "auxiliary" DCC power feed provided to each accessory decoder to ensure robust operation. Here is a SEEP motor, close up. To make connections, I've soldered 2.8x0.8mm "tags" onto them: crimp connectors then push onto these. The PCB traces need to be drilled with a 1mm drill first, and I've found it best to push the tag in until it's starting to emerge from the other side then fold it down quite flat before soldering. |
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The SEEP motors are installed directly under each point. There have been a couple of points that have had to be moved slightly so the motors fit - but thereafter the installation is simple. The baseboards are 12mm thick, and with 3mm cork that would make 15mm. The N gauge points have quite a short throw on their tiebars: so the PCB switch on the point motors was only just moving far enough. I was advised to add an additional 12mm spacer, making the actuating rod longer: the consequence is that the rod bends more, and the PCB "switch" contact can move further. This is a completed installation, with half of the wires in place. (These three are the frog power; short wires have been added directly to the power feeds to the point and to the frog, that come straight to the switch on the point motor). It's simple to wire up: the two power feeds do NOT cross over. The one on the left rail goes to the left side of the switch and vice versa. |
To assemble the point motors, a hole has to be drilled under the end of the tiebar before point installation. I use a 6.5mm drill, and work it side to side so that the hole is wider at the bottom. A 75mm length of 12x34mm timber is glued underneath, with a 10mm hole pre-drilled through it to align with the baseboard hole. After the glue is dry, the point motor can be offered up and tested.
The point motors have been wired to the accessory decoders using 6 core alarm cable. This has connectors crimped at the point end, and is stripped and goes into screw terminal blocks at the other. The wire is convenient as it keeps 3 or 6 strands (for 1 or 2 points) together. I've been very consistent with the colour scheme:
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1st point: thrown=red, closed=green, common=black;
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2nd point (if used): thrown=blue, closed=yellow, common=white
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