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				Point Controllerfor Motor/Gearbox
 using DPDT Switch
 
 Kit is available from
 Talking Electronics for $15.50
 (incl servo) plus $6.50 postage.
 Click HERE 
	 to buy kit.
 
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		Home   |  Talking Electronics has produced a number of Point Motor 
				Controllers, but this project uses a motor and gearbox to 
				control the points. In other words it is a controller-circuit AND a POINT MOTOR - all for 
				$15.50
 The kit contains a miniature motor / gearbox. This is a 
				miniature SERVO that needs to be modified by removing the 
				electronics and connecting two leads directly to the motor.
 A DPDT push-switch is also included in the kit. This push-push 
				switch can be substituted for a toggle switch for $1.50 extra.
 In other words this project is a controller-circuit AND a POINT MOTOR - all for 
				$15.50
 All you have to do is connected the arm (commonly referred to as 
				a "horn"), on the output shaft of the servo, to a manual set of points and you can control them 
				remotely. 
				Each time the DPDT switch is changed, the voltage to the circuit 
				reverses and the opposite transistor conducts for a short period 
				of time while the electrolytics on the base charge. This 
				activates the motor to change the position of the points.
 There is a small leakage through the transistors of about 20mA 
				at all times and that's why the project cannot be connected to a 
				battery.
 
		 
		The "servo" is just a motor and gearbox (electronics removed) 
 It can be fitted in many different ways.
 Laying it on its side will be the best option.
 
		WHAT THIS PROJECT DOES:The block diagram shows the project uses a Double-Pole 
		Double-Throw switch to reverses the voltage to a motor contained in a 
		servo, to change the position of the rails at a "point." The project 
		also has a timing feature to prevent the motor "jamming" and 
		burning-out.
 
		 A Simplified block diagram of the 
		project
  The miniature motor and gearbox comes from a servo (commonly 
				called a servo motor) and all you have to do is remove the PC 
				board inside the case and connect two leads directly to the 
				motor. The gearbox delivers a very high torque to the output shaft 
				and we need to be careful not to supply full voltage to the 
				motor when it has reached its "limit-of-travel."
 That's why the circuit reduces the current to the motor by the 
		time it reaches the "end-stop."
 The transistors are designed to limit the current by the action of 
				the electrolytic charging via a resistor and slowly reducing 
				the current into the base.
 When the supply is reversed via the switch, the initial current 
				is high and gradually tapers off when the arm reaches the limit 
				of its travel. This means the motor has very little torque by 
		the time it reaches the end and prevents "jamming."
 The 4screw terminals on the PC board have been positioned so 
				each connector aligns with the 4 terminals on a DPDT 
				switch. Two criss-cross 
		wires are fitted to the switch to connect the other two terminals. This makes it easy to wire the switch. The kit comes 
		with a DPDT push-switch that you can change for a toggle switch.
 The PC board also contains a red LED and green LED to let you know the 
		position of the points.
 This is a very low-cost project for activating a set of points.
 
		PCB overlay and trackwork 
 
		 Point Controller project connects to Motor/Gearbox  
		(modified Servo)
 The DPDT toggle switch is $1.50 extra
 
		 The Push Switch is provided in the 
		kit.
 
 
		CONSTRUCTION 
		All the parts fit neatly on the PC board.
 The transistors, diodes, electrolytics and LEDs are identified above and 
		the diagram shows how they are fitted to the board.
 There is one unusual thing on the board. The AHEAD and SIDING LEDs are 
		placed in opposite directions. One LED has the cathode lead "down" and 
		the other has the cathode lead "up," so one LED illuminates when the 
		voltage is in one-direction and the other LED illuminates when the 
		voltage is reversed.
 The screw terminals allow the board to be easily connected to your power 
		supply via leads into the 2-connector block. The motor connects to 
		another 2-screw connector while the DPDT toggle switch connects to the 
		4-screw block.
 
 
 MODIFYING THE 
		SERVO
 Only a motor and gearbox are 
		required for this project. We have used a servo because they are cheap 
		and compact.
 Open up the servo and remove the PC board with electronics. Connect two 
		leads directly to the motor and re-fit the case. Check the motor on 1.5v 
		for activation in both directions.
 Fit an arm to the output shaft and use the tiny screw provided to hold 
		the arm in place.
 It is now ready for connecting to the track with a push-rod.
 
 CONNECTING THE SERVO to 
		the TRACK
 The arm of the servo produces a certain 
		amount of THROW.
 This is the amount of lineal distance moved by each of the holes in the 
		arm.  If you select a hole near the shaft, the "throw" will be very 
		small. As you select a hole further from the shaft, the "throw" 
		increases.
 You have to match this distance with the amount of movement needed by 
		the moveable rails, called "blades."  Once you select the required 
		hole, the unused part of the arm can be removed. This will allow you to 
		place the servo in a number of positions next to the track, so the arm 
		can be connected with a push-rod. This can be a small length of 
		spring-steel from a spring.
 The servo has two mounting holes and you can make a small "L-bracket" to 
		fit it to the base-board. Otherwise it can be glued in pace with clear 
		silicon sealant. Make sure the action of the servo produces a small 
		amount of pressure to keep the blades against the fixed rails when it 
		reaches the end of travel in each direction.
 
 
 
  
    | Point Controllerfor Motor/Gearbox
 PARTS LIST
		$15.50 plus $6.50 postage.
 Click
		 HERE to buy kit
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    | 3 - 1k 2 - 2k2
 2 - 4k7
 
 2 - 100n monoblocks - 0.1spacing
 4 - 100u 25v electrolytics
 
 1 - BC337
 1 - BC557
 1 - 3mm red LEDs
 2 - 3mm green LED
 4 - 1N4004 diodes
 1 - 7805 regulator
 
 4  -  2-Connector terminal blocks
 
		
		1  -  DPDT push-switch 4 - short leads for switch
 1  - Miniature Servo (needs to be modified)
 with servo arm
 1 - Point Controller for Motor/Gearbox
 PC Board
 
 DPDT toggle switch (in place of push-switch) $1.50 extra
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		5-6-2014 |