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Controlling one Tortoise machine with 2 toggle switches

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faithie999:
I have a few Tortoises that I would like to control from 2 locations.  I am using DPDT switches for the normal installation.  Can I wire 2 switches in series, like using 2 3-way switches for a ceiling light, to control the Tortoise?  I know I would lose the "UP/DOWN" orientation of the DPDT switches to correspond to the position of the turnout.

thanks

Ken

Alan:
Yes, as long as the switches are in series i.e. one switch feeds the second switch which then feeds the Tortoise.

faithie999:
great!

if I were to control a couple of turnouts with an AM-1 (and I know it's a pain to switch from loco screen to AM-1 screen and back), I see in the AM-1 instructions the Tortoise motor in put shouldn't exceed 12v.  how would I handle that with the 15v MeanWell power supply?  dropping resistor on the output of the AM-1?  buck converter?  don't worry about it?

thanks
ken

Alan:
Your thinking is correct. A dropping resistor will do the trick.

Place a 220 ohm 1/2 watt resistor in series with the Tortoise. This supplies the Tortoise with 11.6 volts at stall from a 15 volt supply.

Tortoises operate just fine and a lot less noisy at lower voltages. Feel free to increase the resistor value up to a maximum of around 1000 ohms (6.5v at Tortoise). Tortoises have less throw power at lower voltages. The least voltage required will be dictated by how freely your point rails move.

faithie999:
Thanks!

Ken

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