Low cost Tortoise terminals
#1
I am replacing all switch machines with the widely used Tortoise after another one of my old switch machines failed this night.
Overhead soldering is a no go for me and the commercial available terminals with screws are either expensive or not ready available in Germany. The very low cost luster terminals and dual sided sticky tape with some wires are a nice alternative.
[Image: IMG_2735_zpsbfc8a31b.jpg]
Reinhard
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#2
Looking good Reinhard. Just curious, which were your old switch machines you've used?

I've been using some from Conrad electronics now, and they've been okay so far (and cheap).

Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
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#3
torikoos Wrote:Looking good Reinhard. Just curious, which were your old switch machines you've used?

I've been using some from Conrad electronics now, and they've been okay so far (and cheap).

Koos
I did use a swiss product from a small local shop in Zürich that went out of business a long time ago. They had the same principle as the tortoise switch machines. I did not have to change any wiring. It was a 1:1 swap.
I know the one from Conrad and the "originals" from a small german company. Have still some of then in the cabinet.
Reinhard
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#4
Hi Reinhard,

yes I remember that now you mention it, the Conrad's were said to be a 'rip off' of another company, I can't remember which that was, and if they still make them, probably gone 'bust' I guess.
I've also used motors from Tillig, they're fairly good too but a bit tedious to set up I found, and of course then you have the Fulgurex ones, they are also very good.

For all of the above goes that they are flatter designs, not important for most home layouts, but for modular boards that is a big plus, having no items stick out from below, or having to make the Fascia higher. It helps in making things transportable etc.

Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
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#5
Koos, this is the web site of the original one " <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hoffmann-antrieb.de/pages/s_0202_mwa.html">http://www.hoffmann-antrieb.de/pages/s_0202_mwa.html</a><!-- m --> ". It's name is Hoffmann. He developed a second generation with the feature to adjust the speed. Sounds good but the first generation / Conrad are in daily business about the same.
I had a lot of them on my earlier German based layout. The swiss one were overpriced and had some nasty flaws but because they had the same wiring as the Tortoise was it easy to go to Tortoise without changing the wiring.

This is the old swiss switch machine I used " <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.asoa.de/feather-products.htm">http://www.asoa.de/feather-products.htm</a><!-- m --> ". I had the FPM-2 installed. Did not know the German ballast specialist AOSA has them still in their shop. This is the web site of the swiss maker of the switch machines " <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://feather.ch/home_e.html">http://feather.ch/home_e.html</a><!-- m --> " but it looks like they do not make switch machines anymore. Don't know where AOSA gets them from. The old dealer in Zürich closed his shop some years ago.

ps. I am sorry but Hoffmann as well as AOSA do not have an english web page.
Reinhard
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#6
faraway Wrote:Koos, this is the web site of the original one " <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hoffmann-antrieb.de/pages/s_0202_mwa.html">http://www.hoffmann-antrieb.de/pages/s_0202_mwa.html</a><!-- m --> ". It's name is Hoffmann. He developed a second generation with the feature to adjust the speed. Sounds good but the first generation / Conrad are in daily business about the same.
I had a lot of them on my earlier German based layout.
ps. I am sorry but Hoffmann as well as AOSA do not have an english web page.

No problem, I speak and read/write german also, so I can understand it perfectly. (but I'm guessing you mentioned that for those who don't).
Hoffmann, I remember it now, I find the option to change the speed of the motor interesting, but is it slow enough to become a 'slow motion' motor? That's the advantage of a tortoise over a Conrad, which isn't a slow motion motor, although a lot more gentle than a Peco 'motor' or SEEP. (clickhummmm-clickhummmm). :-)

Thanks for the info.

Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
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#7
Welcome aboard Welcome
Reinhard
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