Help please!!!

Grumpee

Grumpee

Registered
I have just finished my first layout, the trains run and I have power! However, I would like to add power to the the two sets of points I have. NOW the problem is I really don't have a clue where to start! Is there someone out there who can tell me in idiot terms what to buy and how to add power to my points? Please do not go all technical on me, just think moron and you will be about the right level! My transformer is only a basic one from a LGB starter layout.
Thanks.
 
Hi send me a PM with your phone number I only live in Cheddar and you are welcome to visit or i will come to you
Alan
 
By "add power to the points" I presume you mean to motorize them to operate by remote control instead of hand-operated?

What brand of points are they? LGB? Piko? Something else?
Do you run straight DC or digital DCC?

For straight forward operation of LGB points, basically you'll need a point motor such as LGB 12010, a pair of wires to run from the point motor back to a control box such as LGB 51750 or 51755 (this can control 4 points), and an AC supply to feed the control box (usually from your existing controller's auxiliary/accessory output).

See Page 34 "Under Control" of the LGB manual to which Korm has posted a link above.

There are home-grown (cheaper) alternatives to the control box, but if you're not particularly technically minded then stick with the manufacturer's products at least to begin with.
 
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ntpntpntp said:
By "add power to the points" I presume you mean to motorize them to operate by remote control instead of hand-operated?

What brand of points are they? LGB? Piko? Something else?
Do you run straight DC or digital DCC?

For straight forward operation of LGB points, basically you'll need a point motor such as LGB 12010, a pair of wires to run from the point motor back to a control box such as LGB 51750 or 51755 (this can control 4 points), and an AC supply to feed the control box (usually from your existing controller's auxiliary/accessory output).

See Page 34 "Under Control" of the LGB manual to which Korm has posted a link above.

There are home-grown (cheaper) alternatives to the control box, but if you're not particularly technically minded then stick with the manufacturer's products at least to begin with.
Click to expand...
II will read through it and hopefully get it right!
 
Grumpee, you say you're using just the basic LGB controller from a starter set - so you are on simple DC (Analogue), and most likely your basic controller/transformer will NOT have an AC output for points and accessories, this tends to be available only on the larger controllers. So, in addition to the LGB switch box mentioned earlier, you will need a separate AC transformer to power it. You mentioned that you've only got a couple of points - I'm assuming they are LGB, and probably with the manual switch mechanisms on them (little black square units with a lever on the side to throw the point)? If this is the case, you will need a couple of LGB point motors that simply screw to the point as a direct replacement for the manual switch - the motorised ones are a longer black rectangle compared with the square manual switches.

Jon.
 
playmofire said:
Here's what the manual point mechanisms look like:

http://www.gscalenews.com/images/information/lgb-12060.jpg

and here are what the electric point mechanisms look like:

http://www.gscalenews.com/images/review/2016/lgb-piko-g-electric-switch-drives-1.jpg
Click to expand...
playmofire said:
Here's what the manual point mechanisms look like:

http://www.gscalenews.com/images/information/lgb-12060.jpg

and here are what the electric point mechanisms look like:


On May 30th I posted a reply to a similar query. It was in " Isolating points-am I on the right track". Post 30. I used the items Gizzy referred to. Reply was with photos of the system.perhaps a moderator could put it in this thread.
Nimbus.

http://www.gscalenews.com/images/review/2016/lgb-piko-g-electric-switch-drives-1.jpg
Click to expand...
 
You will always get good advice and assistance on this forum - I started out in G scale about 10 years or so ago, and have never failed to receive helpful, technical advice when I've asked :clap::clap::clap::clap:

You can also get a good bit of banter and less helpful advice on occasions as well :giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle:
 
Rhinochugger said:
You can also get a good bit of banter and less helpful advice on occasions as well :giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle:
Click to expand...
I wish to make a complaint! I would rephrase that as "helpful advice on non-railway related subjects" ;)
 
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