Turnout's servo switch locking mechanism and sensing its position

This post refers to a servo switch with a wire actuator and is a try to answer the following questions:  Is it possible to lock the servo at its end position and dettach it from power and the arduino?How can the end positions (normal/thrown) be sensed?Is it possible to use a ser…

Read more...

Easy adjustable way to mount a servo switch under the bench without screws

Neodymium magnets are powerful and give the ability to adjust the position as they can be pulled or slide.
The principle is simple, under the bench we glue a steel plate of 0.8mm thickness and the servo holder is attracted by magnets to the plate. How strong magnets do we need…

Read more...

Design a servo switch machine to control a model railroad turnout [excel]

I was wondering if I could reveal the relationships between the parts which are involved in the control of a turnout by a servo-wire actuator mounted under the bench. The parts are the motor, the stiffness of the wire, the thickness of the bench and the subroadbed and the stiff…

Read more...