Installation Notes:
This decoder is designed to control Tortoise, SwitchMaster or other low current "stall
motor" switch machines. The outputs are rated for 50mA maximum. Most Tortoise
machines draw 20 to 25mA with normal track voltage (about 13-15 volts). We use
double sided foam tape to mount the Switch-It to the side of a Tortoise.
Wiring:
See the diagram below for wiring particulars. The only required wires are two wires to
the track and two wires to each machine. It is OK to use the Switch-It for control of only
one machine.
Optional push buttons:
Push buttons may be added for local control of the switches. Buttons 1 and 2 control
switch "A" and buttons 3 and 4 control switch "B". Use momentary contact switches
for local control.
Do not use a toggle switch
(unless it is momentary), its continuous
connection will prevent DCC control of the turnout. In the illustration above the push
button terminals filled in with black are "common" with each other. Buttons 1 and 2 are
shown wired with a common wire to each push button as are buttons 3 and 4. It is OK
to use only one common wire for all 4 push buttons. You can have multiple buttons
wired in parallel for operation of the machine from more than one control panel. If the
Switch-It is used on DC (12-16 volts DC) the buttons will still work.
You can also program the Switch-It to “toggle” the outputs with each push of the local
control pushbuttons. Button 1 will control the SWA output and button 4 will control the
SWB output. Buttons 2 and 3 will be ignored and are not needed.
Switch machine mounting tip:
On our Tortoise machines we use hot glue to mount the machine. The glue stays
liquid just long enough after application to allow alignment of the machine. We
manually center the arm of the machine then slide the machine around while the glue
sets to align the points to the middle of their throw. The low temperature hot glue is
weak enough to allow removal of the machine later on by prying with a putty knife.
Use a throw wire that is about 6” (150mm) longer than the one provided with the
Tortoise to give you room to put glue on the machine after the wire is put through the
roadbed
.
Last revised: 15 March 2007 Page2
TRK
SWA
S
WB
1
2
3
4
NCE SWITCH-IT REV C
To Track
SWITCH
MACHINE
"A"
SWITCH
MACHINE
"B"
"Local" control push buttons
can be mounted on fascia,
control or dispatcher panels
OPTIONAL
Tortoise Machines
Illustrated above
SWITCH-IT wiring diagram
4
3
2
1
Do not connect decoder common
to the common of other Switch-Its
PB
PA