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General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: mojo on March 16, 2024, 01:24:29 PM

Title: Electrickery
Post by: mojo on March 16, 2024, 01:24:29 PM
What is the correct term for the "probe" part when control points are activated on a control panel using "stud & probe" and from where are they obtained?
Maurice C.
 
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: JanW on March 16, 2024, 01:50:57 PM
Peco make such probes, the PL17:
https://peco-uk.com/products/probe-for-operating-turnout-motors?variant=7435676418082

Jan
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: ntpntpntp on March 16, 2024, 02:04:21 PM
Probe is the correct term.  As Jan says, Peco sell the probe and the studs with tag washers.

I used stud-and-probe on my layout back in the mid 80s.  It works well enough but I did find I got the probe wire tangled with the hand-held controller cables.  In the end I upgraded the controllers to 5 core cable and used the extra core to run the probe connection up and out of a jack plug fitted to the top of the controller, so I could do everything one-handed and no tangles :)

I still have the small stud-n-probe panel I made for my garden line
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/105/medium_5885-230121215727.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=105142)

I much prefer miniature push-buttons for operating points

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/83/medium_5885-271019121730.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=83272)

... or momentary centre-off toggle switches if I really need to save space on a busy panel
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/138/medium_5885-040124224253.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=138383)
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: PLD on March 16, 2024, 02:10:23 PM
The probe is correctly named "The Probe"  ;)
While several suppliers will sell you an expensively priced, over engineered solution (such as the Peco item linked above, in reality almost any solid conducting item on the end of a wire will do the job just as effectively...
Use of a simple jack-plug is common, and I know of a layout with a rather neat home made solution consisting of those little biros you used to get in Argos and a brass nail..
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: 5213 65J on March 16, 2024, 03:33:32 PM
Momentary push buttons for me over the past 25 years for DC operation.
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: Newportnobby on March 16, 2024, 04:07:39 PM
I have a couple of the Peco ones lined up for use on my layout
Title: Re: Electrickery
Post by: mojo on March 16, 2024, 05:22:56 PM
Thanks all.

Maurice C.
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