Tortoise now throwing switch points with manual check

If the Tortoise is adjusted properly, it doesn't matter whether you move it by hand or power, it should throw both ways, all the way, every time.

Ernest

Be certain that your switch points are centered and equidistant from the rails on both the "thru"[mainline] and "out" [spur/siding]. If not loosen the Tortoise and adjust it for a centered spring wire in the throw bar above.

I use a couple of cue tips wedged in to center the points.

Note the two springwires in photo below. The top wire is perfectly vertical in the throw bar, note the centered points--the second photo shows one out of vertical and needing re-positioning of the Tortoise Motor.

Last picture shows Tortoise that had been adjusted--moved slightly off the red mark that was not centered. I initially place the motor with a dab of double-stik tape until perfectly positioned then install screws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also adjust the tension of that wire by sliding that green tab on the back of the Tortoise body. Did you use the stock wire that came with the Tortoise? Most of us upgrade that wire to a heavier duty wire for more tension.

Ernest,

I have installed numerous Tortouse switch motors to Gargraves and Ross switches and found the following to be the best procedure.
1. Use .032in diameter K&S Metals steel wire for Tortouse throw lever.
2. Use  four .040in thick bass strips, position 2 strips between the switch
    points on the diverging rail and 2 strips on the normal rail, this center
    both points and black plastic point throw bar.
3. With the points locked in position by these bass wood spacers drill the
    pilot hole use a 1/32in bit.
4. Remove the shims, slide the points throwbar assembly to the diverging
    (turnout rail).
5. Drill the 1/32in pilot hole to either a 5/16in or 3/8in diameter hole in the
    base board, I use plywood.
6. Form the .032in steel wire to the throw wirre shape on the Tortouse instruction
    sheet.
7. Use a pen vise and drill bit # 65 (.035in) to redrill the throw wire hole on the
    Tortouse pivot lever.
8. Install the .032in lever wire to the Tortouse pivot lever secure with the screw
    then install this wire in the adjustable slide tensioner on the Tortouse. I leave
    the tensioner at the highest position facing the Tortouse mounting base.
9. Slowly pivot the pivoting arm and wire so that the wire is perpendicular to the
    Tortouse mounting base, this centers the Tortouse for equal throw rotation left
    and right.
10. Reapply the 2 basswood shims at both points to the rails, this centers the point
      throw bar assembly.
11. Use adequate lighting above and below the train board to install the switch
      motor to the switch point throw bar hole.
12. I apply RTV sealant to the mounting base of the Tortouse, go below the train
      board, install the pilot wire on the Tortouse to the hole on the points throw
      lever, position the switch motor to the plywood so that the pivot wire is
      perpendicular vertically transverse and longitudinal to the points lever bar.
      I reference the side of the points lever bar that parallels the edge of the
      adjustable slide tensioner on the Tortouse, the pivot throw of points
      slide bar assembly and Tortouse pivoting wire will be in the same lie or
      plane.
13. Hold the Tortouse in this position for approximately 10 minutes, the slowly
      release your hand from this motor, the RTV should hold the motor to the train
      board, with the Tortouse held in position, do topside and visually check the the
      wire lever is straight perpendicularly transverse and longitudinal to the points
      throw lever. If wire has angular offset in either direction, the RTV should have
      set up enough to you to move this wire and switch machine for alignment.
14. Once Step 13 is achieved, leave the RTV setup for one hour or longer.
15. Remove all 4 shims, slowly by hand pivot the Tortouse pivot and throw wire, left
     and right, to assure that points contact the stock rail adjust contact tension by
     moving the adjustable guided slide tensioner downward. Recheck for proper
     contact tension, I slightly pull the points back and they snap back by the spring
     tension.
16.Secure the Tortouse mounting base to the plywood with 4 screws, I use 1/2 inch
     long phillips screws.
17.I also wire the Tortouse with 8 different colored # 22 gauge stranded wires 12
     inches and perform electrical continuity testing before installation.

This may seem to be a difficult and timely procedure the first series of applications
but with additional use it will become easier, you may come up a better method.

Reply By John Ochab: Tortoise now throwing switch points with manual ch...Thanks for the very detail instructions. I see what I was doing wrong. I did not center the points.

Reply By Dewey Trogdon: Tortoise now throwing switch points with manual ch...Thanks for the advice. I was not centering the points. A point ( no pun intended) missing from their instructions.

Reply By Laidoffsick: Tortoise now throwing switch points with manual ch...Thanks for the advice. I did use a heavier wire and I did try sliding the green tab. The problem is that I did not center the points first as others suggested.

Someone Just Liked Your Topic!Glad you likes the topic. The word now should have been not. The problem is that I did not center the points as others suggested.