Mainline Railways was a British model railway brand that operated between 1976 and 1983, introduced by Palitoy, the...
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How do you power solenoid point motors?
Solenoid turnout motors, or point motors as they are sometimes called, are powered by a 16v auxiliary power supply just like the one found on the back of many controllers.
All turnout motors will have instructions included specifying their rating and it's important to always check these first, but most solenoid motors will suggest a 16v AC supply as preferable.
Point motors will technically work from a 16v DC supply too, but many modellers prefer AC as it gives a stronger more reliable performance.
The important factor to take into account is how the power is delivered. A constant supply of power to a solenoid point motor will damage it. Therefore a passing contact switch should be used to supply just a short 'burst of power' and is more than capable of moving the point blades.
If operating multiple points simultaneously from a single power supply, as would be the case if your layout is wired for route setting, then a little power assistance may be required. This is done using a CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit). These still work from the same 16v auxiliary power supply, but they store up the power, releasing it with a 'kick' when the switch is thrown.
Posted in: Power and control
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