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Which point motor.
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:55 pm
by The Sligo Rover
Help again please, I am just about to purchase Peco electrofrog points. My track will be laid on 9mm (or is it 12mm ply?) on a 2” X 1” frame. I need some guidance on which point motors I should use. I would like them to power LED’s on my control panel. The Cobolt ones are expensive but appear to be the Rolls Royce of point motors.
Your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. These will not be DCC controlled.
Re: Which point motor.
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:38 am
by Brian
Hi
DCC Concepts Cobalt ip motors are excellent as to are Tortoise (Larger overall though) Both are stall type and require a constant power supply of typically 12 volts DC from a regulated power source. They require an On-On switch to operate them. Both when purchased in 'bulk packs' are considerably cheaper then their single motor price. There are other makes too.
You can use a Servo motor with special Servo drive electronics and mounting plates for the Servos and add 2 x micro switches to give frog polarity and LED indications.
Stall and servos only need 7/0.2 mm style of wire.
Or there is the Solenoid motor - Peco PL10, Gaugemaster PM10 or Hattons HAT-PM1 All are ideal for mounting below baseboard and need ideally 16volts AC and a CDU to allow then to operate well (One CDU is used for all motors). Switches must be (On)-Off-(On) non locking sprung to centre type sometimes called 'Momentary'. Of course there is the Seep PM1 with built in change over switch but the built in switch isn't that reliable and the motor needs very careful alignment with the point above to work correctly.
Solenoids should be wired with ideally a minimum of 16/0.2mm wire throughout.
Re: Which point motor.
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 1:00 pm
by Tinker
Cobalt Digital, i have 70 of them 63 installed they take there power from the DCC track and power the Frog from the same droppers, i have a Ramp Meter and power draw doesn't show until the points are operated, operate them from a Toggle switch and use pin 3 to also switch a normal/reverse points indicator put a Youtub link on here there are other bits and pieces to view....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuBdATWJLPw
Re: Which point motor.
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:09 pm
by Brian
IMO. Unless the OP is DCC then the extra cost of purchasing Digital Cobalt ip motors over the standard Analogue ip motor isn't worth the extra money.
Hattons price today = Digital ip 12 pack £220.00 equivalent of £18.33 each. Analogue ip 12 pack £169.00 equivalent of £14.08 each. Saving of £51.00
Re: Which point motor.
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 10:28 pm
by The Sligo Rover
Thank you Brian, I think I know where I am going now.