STEP BY STEP

INSTALL A SOLENOID POINT MOTOR

1

Installing a motor beneath the baseboard requires the cutting of a slot beneath the point, at 90º to the track’s direction. Mark the centre point and the extreme lateral positions of the tie-bar, lift the point and drill a series of holes.

2

After the 4mm diameter holes have been drilled in a straight line, clean out the waste material with a small blade and a round needle file. Eventually, the slot should be around 4mm wide and 12mm long.

3

Install the supplied extension pin and collar, securing the parts with cyano glue. Check that the pin is straight and true and leave aside to cure fully. Don’t spill any glue on the moving parts of the motor.

4 Place the point motor in position beneath the board, threading the arm through the hole in the point’s tie-bar. The excess length of the pin can be cut away – and the end filed smooth later, once the motor has been finally installed.

5

With the point blades held in a central position with a blob of Blu-tack, look underneath the baseboard and check that the point motor’s arm is set halfway between the two coils. Mark and drill two of the four mounting holes.

6

Screw the motor loosely into position and double-check the position of the blades and the actuating arm in their central locations. Tighten the screws, but don’t drill holes or fit the other screws until the motor has been tested.

7

Connect the cables between the point motor and the Capacitor Discharge Unit, which in turn is linked to the controller’s 16V AC output. Use different coloured wire to that employed for track power feeds to avoid any confusion.

8

A momentary action, centre-biased toggle switch is needed for each solenoid. The common positive polarity from the CDU is fixed to the centre terminal. The cables from each solenoid coil link to the outer switch terminals.

9

Hatton’s point motor can also be fitted above the baseboard. Mark a straight line from the tie-bar and position the motor so that the hole in the crank arm is aligned. Link the crank to the tie-bar with a length of spring steel wire.

10

Before mounting the motor, check for correct operation by moving the motor’s pin by hand. If the blades move correctly, mark and drill a hole at each end of the base. Connect the cables and test before adding the other screws.

1: To route selection switch

2, 3 & 4: Accessory switch, in this case controlling the polarity of the point’s frog

(2: power output to frog; 3: Track Return power supply; 4: Track Feed power supply)

5: To negative terminal of point control power supply (via CDU)

6: To route selection switch