Has anybody tried out the Peco SmartSwitch

LNER1949 · February 16, 2014, 07:23:10 PM

Has anybody tried out the Peco SmartSwitch yet, & would it work a single level crossing gate operation, if only I know how to do it ? Help or a guide to what to do please.

PostModN66 · February 16, 2014, 07:41:17 PM

Quote from: LNER1949 on February 16, 2014, 07:23:10 PM
Has anybody tried out the Peco SmartSwitch yet, & would it work a single level crossing gate operation, if only I know how to do it ? Help or a guide to what to do please.

Not exactly - but if you are talking about the servo-based mechanism that Peco have announced then I am absolutely sure it would. I have been making radio-controlled aircraft for many years and I am sure that a servo would be pretty ideal for this.

Do you mean a gate or a barrier type crossing? If a barrier, take a squint at this....

Deansmoor Level Crossing - working!

This uses a Fulgurex point motor, but could just as well (better) be a small servo. Gates would be no more difficult.

Cheers Jon

LNER1949 · February 16, 2014, 07:46:46 PM

Quote from: PostModN66 on February 16, 2014, 07:41:17 PM
Quote from: LNER1949 on February 16, 2014, 07:23:10 PM
Has anybody tried out the Peco SmartSwitch yet, & would it work a single level crossing gate operation, if only I know how to do it ? Help or a guide to what to do please.

Not exactly - but if you are talking about the servo-based mechanism that Peco have announced then I am absolutely sure it would. I have been making radio-controlled aircraft for many years and I am sure that a servo would be pretty ideal for this.

Do you mean a gate or a barrier type crossing? If a barrier, take a squint at this....

Deansmoor Level Crossing - working!

This uses a Fulgurex point motor, but could just as well (better) be a small servo. Gates would be no more difficult.

Cheers Jon

Hi John, Gates is what I'm looking at. Many thanks.
Jarvis.

PostModN66 · February 16, 2014, 08:15:25 PM

How about this idea:

I have just shown one gate, but you could run two or four from one servo; just need to build in adjustment so that you can get them both/all to line up perfectly.

It is a similar idea to the animation of my little digger - see 1:26 in this video. Again the digger is driven by a Fulgurex point motor (and the "lift" is memory wire) but a pair of servos would be even better!

Lofthole Part 3

Cheers Jon

petercharlesfagg · February 17, 2014, 10:23:46 AM

I have seen these Peco things advertised but I wondered if they would be even more difficult to disguise above the baseboard than conventional point motors etc?

Peter.

PostModN66 · February 17, 2014, 11:14:24 AM

Quote from: petercharlesfagg on February 17, 2014, 10:23:46 AM
I have seen these Peco things advertised but I wondered if they would be even more difficult to disguise above the baseboard than conventional point motors etc?

Peter.

Hi Peter,

I am sure they would be, but still possible to hide a small servo in a house or factory building if you wanted them above the baseboard.

If you want to put them below the baseboard, I am a fan of the "torque rod" approach (a rod through the baseboard that rotates to form the actuation) as shown on the diagram for the crossing gate, and for my digger in the video above. This can be used to actuate points, and is in fact the recommended approach for Fulgurex point motors.

It can easily be retro-fitted, easy to maintain, doesn't involve great big holes in the baseboard, and works for any thickness of baseboard (or for mechanisms located on high embankments or mountains).

Cheers Jon

Wingman mothergoose · February 27, 2014, 10:55:49 PM

I'm looking at using these to operate some working semaphore signals, as I want electrical operation, but I'll probably be put off by the price!
Although £135 for 6 servo motors and the gubbins to operate them doesn't seem all that bad, even though it's looking like I'm gonna need about 20 of them!
Seen them cheaper than that online though....

Vanders · February 27, 2014, 11:37:06 PM

£136?! That's almost twice as much as it costs to join MERG for a year and buy enough for five servos: and I'm including £20 for the ServoSet box (you can leave it out and use the free settings software on a computer, instead).

Bealman · February 28, 2014, 06:01:54 AM

I saw these advertised recently. It seems from the thread so far, the answer to LNER1949's original question is 'no'.

If any member does acquire a kit, please share your opinions and experiences!

Thank you,

George

LNER1949 · February 28, 2014, 04:56:14 PM

Quote from: Bealman on February 28, 2014, 06:01:54 AM
I saw these advertised recently. It seems from the thread so far, the answer to LNER1949's original question is 'no'.

If any member does acquire a kit, please share your opinions and experiences!

Thank you,

George

From LNER1949, my Son is in the process of making a kit for the servo motor which I hope to be able to post once it is done for a faction of the price. That too I will let you know once it is done.
Jarvis.