MTH AIU remote Tortoise wiring diagram

I use tortoise with DCS. You have to use the acc. ports on the AIU. Not the switch ports. I would draw you a diagram, but I don't know how to draw pictures on the computer. Hopefully somebody will help. Look at the directions that come with the Tortoise, you want  method #3. Instead of SPDT use your AIU acc. ports. You will have to get the Diodes thats the black arrow and bar thingy in the diagram.

Norm,

I submitted a diagram to MTH back in 2004 to make tortoise switch machines work with an AIU, for a long time it was posted on their web site. it may still be there.

I attached it, here you go. you can use a smaller cheaper latching relay that was just one i had in the train room at the time.  hope this helps

Does that mean adding $21.00 to the cost of hookup for every switch on the layout?

Norm, Unfortunately yes, there will be an additional cost per switch to make them work with an AIU. but you should be able to find the relays at a lower price from an electronics store. but I can't say for sure. Just offering my work around to the issue.

I don't use DCS anymore but this is what i did back then to solve the problem.

Hi Norm...If you use the ACC ports on the AIU you don't need the relays. Just the diodes probably less than a dollar apiece. If you are going to York this spring bring up the subject at the DCS users meeting. I only use my AIU for switches. I went to Radio Shack for help with the diodes.

Clem

Do you know what diodes I should ask for at Radio Shack?

1n4000, 1n4001, 1n4002, or 1n4003 will work. They're all 1-Amp diodes and can handle way more than any voltage you'd use with a Tortoise.

In diagram 3 on the tortoise sheet it shows an AC power supply. My Digitrax Command Control is DC, so do I need to buy an AC unit for this use? If so, what should I get?

I forgot you where using DC, In that case I would forget the diodes and use Figure #2 on the Tortise instruction sheet. Two small HO power packs should do it~ I guess I should read carefully.

Clem 

Just following the post, I do have ac power and I was wondering if this z-stuff  DZ-1008 Relay Module would work with the aiu and tortoise machines. http://www.jdstrains.com/dz-1008.html. They are less expensive, and I wanted to check before I order them.

Thanks!

For those of you using the diodes to the ACC ports how are you wiring that?

Thanks!

I was able to work out the wiring for my situation. The attached diagram illustrates my solution.

http://tylertopics.com/DCSTortoiseWiring.jpg

Just curious but don't you need connections to pins 1 &8 on the tortoise  to make the switch motor move?