A video on how to properly wire a tortoise switch machine, control panel led's, a turnout and 3 turnout signals and operate them with a dpdt toggle switch.
Yes, I know I'm late to the party, but I want to give my Thanks to you James for showing and explaining all the steps in layman's terms...I learn things best by visual and hands on work as I'm sure many others do too. You made it seem less daunting of a task. I love the testing jig you built, great idea !
Thank you.This is very helpful. It's the first one of these that doesn't assume I understand anything and offers me a simple and clear explanation of what to do. I may have to watch your video a bunch of times, but that's okay. I feel like I will get it eventually.
I have been searching for a week for a video that speels tour simply for me. I am no good at wiring. You showed up in my suggestions. Thanks for making it simple.
I've been searching for a while for a video/article that spells this stuff out for someone who has no real wiring experience (like me!), let alone figuring out what switch to even use. Thanks for sharing this, every other I video I found that seemed promising the person assumed too much knowledge on the viewer's part. I'll be bookmarking this for sure!
Thanks James, I’ve converted to tortoise switch machines for all my turnouts and I couldn’t be happier. I’d love to do what you have with the signals Kind regards Jonathan
Thank you. I simply combined steps from videos from other youtubers to get it all working together. The hardest thing was trying to put it on video so that other people could use. I shot it 6 times before getting what I published and I'm still not completely satisfied. I may re-do it again.
Not exactly sure what you mean. Are you wanting a single toggle switch to operate more than one tortoise machine and it's corresponding signals or are you wanting to know how to wire several tortoise machines with each using separate toggle switches?
The latter, sorry I wasn't clear. Several tortoise machines with each using separate toggles. I'm thinking you would need a bus line to make it easier?
@@andrewthomas9777 Pretty sure a bus line won't work because each tortoise machine must have it's own toggle switch to activate the machine and reverse the polarity so using a bus line wont work.
I have 18 switch machines. I made 6 six position terminal blocks, with a positive and negative from each dpdt switch for each machine. Using 6 conductor phone wire, I ran from the control panel, I mounted the terminal blocks within easy reach of 3 switch machines. Was just an easy matter of running short wires to each machine. I have swiss style double sided signals with 2 leds on each side. They only have 2 wires, so I am still not sure how I will wire them, to change polarity so they change when the switch changes!
Just wanted to say that this is one of the best videos I could have found to explain how to connect all of the pieces. Clear explanation and a detailed schematic. You mentioned that you don't use resistors because the ones you use come with resistors already installed. Which signals do you use? If I got a signal that didn't have a resistor built in, where would I add it? Also, can you use this setup and send power to the turnout from the Tortoise as well?
First, yes, you can use the tortoise to power the turnout. Simply use the three unused terminals on the bottom of the tortoise. Second, you MUST use a resistor on each let. The leds I buy already have them attached. If yours don't come that way, simply solder a 1000 ohm resistor to the long leg of the led.
Jus to clarify, your signals must have resisters attached. The leds you use on your control panel DO NOT need resisters, if wired as shown using the tortoise switch machine. The machine itself acts as a resistor. Sorry for the confision.
Thanks much for this great info. However I want to wire a crossover with 2 tortoises to a DPDT and 4 signals along with a control panel bi-color led's. I expanded your diagram and wired the 2nd tortoise to terminals 1 and 8 to the first but it isn't working, Cn you please help as you have a great system here but needs to include a crossover so both switches can be controlled by 1 switch. Very frustrated please help! Thanks again
Hi James thanks for your video Avery instructive I tried your wiring connected to a 9v battery but when I threw the switch it changed the leds but wasn’t enough to throw the switch on the tortoise and the first led in the wiring seemed to be a brighter light than the second do you have any suggestions of what I didn’t do right?
Fantastic, im N scale and im getting ready to do a HO layout in the garage and am looking for how to wire the dwarf signals. I supported your channel feel free to support back
Just to clarify, the tortoise machine acts as a resistor ONLY for the led's on your control panel-not your signals. The signals must have a resistor and the ones I use come with resistors already installed.
@@jameswolf195 thanks for posting this James. question do you have to Use the DpDt switch to get the LEDs to turn? Im using them for dwarf signals but dont really need the control panel unless u have to use the control panel? Thought I could switch the turnouts through my Powercaband the turnouts will be wired through an NCE Switch8-Mk2. Any insight or info u can email me at usafvet86@gmailcom. Video was VERY helpful...Thanks So much.. David
@@medtech68 I'm not an electrical engineer but, if I'm understanding your set-up correctly, all you are really asking is do you need a dpdt switch to simply change the color of your signal lights. I think the answer is yes because you must still power 2 separate circuits-one red and one green. If you use the on/on switch, one of the colors will always be on. If you want the signal to be dark when no train is near, use a on/off/on switch and put it in center (off) position and neither color will show. You CAN'T use it if you are using Tortoise machines and using toggle switch to run them. There may be other, easier, ways to do it but this is how I do it and it works.
James Wolf I was going to run them thru and NCE SWITCH8 MK2 so when the tortoise changes directions the lights change also ! Just wasn’t sure if I needed the dpdt switch in with it also or just run them thru the switch 8 ? So confusing !
Yes, I know I'm late to the party, but I want to give my Thanks to you James for showing and explaining all the steps in layman's terms...I learn things best by visual and hands on work as I'm sure many others do too. You made it seem less daunting of a task. I love the testing jig you built, great idea !
Nice job! I used bi-color LEDs to indicate switch position on my control panel.
Thank you.This is very helpful. It's the first one of these that doesn't assume I understand anything and offers me a simple and clear explanation of what to do. I may have to watch your video a bunch of times, but that's okay. I feel like I will get it eventually.
I have been searching for a week for a video that speels tour simply for me. I am no good at wiring. You showed up in my suggestions. Thanks for making it simple.
Excellent video---good explanations
I've been searching for a while for a video/article that spells this stuff out for someone who has no real wiring experience (like me!), let alone figuring out what switch to even use. Thanks for sharing this, every other I video I found that seemed promising the person assumed too much knowledge on the viewer's part. I'll be bookmarking this for sure!
Thanks so much. I knew there was a good way to do this. Thanks for the clear and simple video.
Great video very helpful to someone like me that has an awful time with wiring
Thanks James,
I’ve converted to tortoise switch machines for all my turnouts and I couldn’t be happier. I’d love to do what you have with the signals
Kind regards
Jonathan
FIRST TIME, YOU NAILED IT! NICE JOB.
Thanks James, Just the video I need !
Great video ,It taught me a lot. Thanks
Very Intuative, Shed some light on what can be quite complex
Thank you. I simply combined steps from videos from other youtubers to get it all working together. The hardest thing was trying to put it on video so that other people could use. I shot it 6 times before getting what I published and I'm still not completely satisfied. I may re-do it again.
Finally, someone has explained everything I have wanted to know about doing this THANKS!!.
How would you wire up multiple tortoises/signals?
Not exactly sure what you mean. Are you wanting a single toggle switch to operate more than one tortoise machine and it's corresponding signals or are you wanting to know how to wire several tortoise machines with each using separate toggle switches?
The latter, sorry I wasn't clear. Several tortoise machines with each using separate toggles. I'm thinking you would need a bus line to make it easier?
@@andrewthomas9777 Pretty sure a bus line won't work because each tortoise machine must have it's own toggle switch to activate the machine and reverse the polarity so using a bus line wont work.
I have 18 switch machines. I made 6 six position terminal blocks, with a positive and negative from each dpdt switch for each machine. Using 6 conductor phone wire, I ran from the control panel, I mounted the terminal blocks within easy reach of 3 switch machines. Was just an easy matter of running short wires to each machine. I have swiss style double sided signals with 2 leds on each side. They only have 2 wires, so I am still not sure how I will wire them, to change polarity so they change when the switch changes!
Great! can you provide a diagram if all goes well? Lol
Just wanted to say that this is one of the best videos I could have found to explain how to connect all of the pieces. Clear explanation and a detailed schematic. You mentioned that you don't use resistors because the ones you use come with resistors already installed. Which signals do you use? If I got a signal that didn't have a resistor built in, where would I add it? Also, can you use this setup and send power to the turnout from the Tortoise as well?
First, yes, you can use the tortoise to power the turnout. Simply use the three unused terminals on the bottom of the tortoise. Second, you MUST use a resistor on each let. The leds I buy already have them attached. If yours don't come that way, simply solder a 1000 ohm resistor to the long leg of the led.
Jus to clarify, your signals must have resisters attached. The leds you use on your control panel DO NOT need resisters, if wired as shown using the tortoise switch machine. The machine itself acts as a resistor. Sorry for the confision.
Thanks much for this great info. However I want to wire a crossover with 2 tortoises to a DPDT and 4 signals along with a control panel bi-color led's. I expanded your diagram and wired the 2nd tortoise to terminals 1 and 8 to the first but it isn't working, Cn you please help as you have a great system here but needs to include a crossover so both switches can be controlled by 1 switch. Very frustrated please help! Thanks again
Hi l like your show. My question what is the kind of led light and size too to use it to the switch machine controller.
This is very helpful. One question, I have bi colored red/green LED’s but they have a 3rd leg. Is that wired up differently in this diagram. ?
Hi James thanks for your video Avery instructive I tried your wiring connected to a 9v battery but when I threw the switch it changed the leds but wasn’t enough to throw the switch on the tortoise and the first led in the wiring seemed to be a brighter light than the second do you have any suggestions of what I didn’t do right?
Very good video. Could you suggest what AMP toggle switch would you use?
Excellent video. What size bi colored led do you use for your jig and also do you have a pdf on the diagram? Thanks.
Can I connect the DPDT toggle switch to the accessory input of my AC transformer? Thank you.
James, Have you used or are you familiar with the SMAIL switch machine?
No, I have not used it and I'm not familiar with it. If it has internal circuits similar to Tortoise machines, it may work the same.
I converted your idea to 2 Dwarf Signals on the main and the siding. I want to add my diagram here but looks like i cannot.
Fantastic, im N scale and im getting ready to do a HO layout in the garage and am looking for how to wire the dwarf signals. I supported your channel feel free to support back
Thanks for your interest and comment and I will check out your channel.
How can I contact your for a drawing diagram of this process., Thanks David
David, you can text me at 636-212-2193 with your phone number and I will text you a picture back or your mailing address and I'll mail you a copy.
Are you using any resistors for the LED lights?? If so, what rating??
If you are using a tortoise machine, you DO NOT need resistors. The machine itself acts as a resistor.
Just to clarify, the tortoise machine acts as a resistor ONLY for the led's on your control panel-not your signals. The signals must have a resistor and the ones I use come with resistors already installed.
@@jameswolf195 thanks for posting this James. question do you have to Use the DpDt switch to get the LEDs to turn? Im using them for dwarf signals but dont really need the control panel unless u have to use the control panel? Thought I could switch the turnouts through my Powercaband the turnouts will be wired through an NCE Switch8-Mk2. Any insight or info u can email me at usafvet86@gmailcom. Video was VERY helpful...Thanks So much.. David
@@medtech68 I'm not an electrical engineer but, if I'm understanding your set-up correctly, all you are really asking is do you need a dpdt switch to simply change the color of your signal lights. I think the answer is yes because you must still power 2 separate circuits-one red and one green. If you use the on/on switch, one of the colors will always be on. If you want the signal to be dark when no train is near, use a on/off/on switch and put it in center (off) position and neither color will show. You CAN'T use it if you are using Tortoise machines and using toggle switch to run them.
There may be other, easier, ways to do it but this is how I do it and it works.
James Wolf I was going to run them thru and NCE SWITCH8 MK2 so when the tortoise changes directions the lights change also ! Just wasn’t sure if I needed the dpdt switch in with it also or just run them thru the switch 8 ? So confusing !
Hi Jim, great video. Well explained. Would be willing to share that diagram? thanks
I would be happy to send you a picture of the diagram I used. Just send me your email address and I'll send it.