MP switch motors from mtb, which one?

[carpediem4570]

Good Morning Folks:

Ya know, the more I look into this railroading stuff, the deeper I keep digging this hole.  Now it’s switches for my turnouts.

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I’m just getting to building a layout.  The turnouts I’m using are atlas snap switches, #850 and #851.

Instead of using the snap switches, I’ve discovered mtb switches.  The latest derivation seems to be mp-4.  However, mtb’s website shows an mp-8 switch, specifically for snap type switches.  And then there are the dp switches which are for dcc operations.  Ugh.

Is there someone out there who can shed some light on these mp switches and which ones would be best to use?

Kind regards,
Max

[carpediem4570]

Well, took the plunge.  Ordered 15 of the mp-8 switch motors.

 From what I have read, this is a motor that can operate, in this case, a switch. With the momentary push of a button, or in this case, the hand held railpro controller, the switch will be activated and a slow movement of the points will occur, as opposed to a snap.

I’ll keep you posted.

Kind regards,

Max

[faithie999]

sounds promising!

Ken

[LVRR1856]

Max - I would also be interested on how this setup works out for. Let us know.

Pat

[carpediem4570]

A little update to the mtb motors.  I got 15 of the mp-8’s.  These ones use an spdt momentary switch.  I plan on hooking them up to my am-1’s so I can use my hc to operate them.

I went to wire up one of the motors to some track.  I found out 18 awg stranded wire is too big to effectively solder to the track as a feeder wire.

The am-1 and mp-8 will easily take tinned, stranded 18awg.

I emailed Seth, at model railroad control systems last night about 9 pm and asked what size wire the mp-8 uses.  He emailed right back .  He uses a 22awg solid wire for the motors and track feeders.  He also wrote, one can use any wire that fits the machine.  There are no restrictions regarding wire size.

I’ve got some 28awg stranded wire I use for wiring dc locos to dcc.  I will try using that tonight and report back.  In the meantime, it’s back to Aliexpress.com to order more 22awg solid core wire.

To the rest of you following along, what do you use for track feeders and wiring up lights or motors on your layout?  Do you use stranded or solid core wire? What awg?

Kind regards,

Max

[carpediem4570]

As an aside, I bought 16 Chinese ho, code 100 turnouts.  Got them for $6.00 Canadian per turnout.

They look like they are steel, not the nickel silver.

I’ll keep you posted.

[carpediem4570]

You guys are going to have to wait a little longer for the update.  Went to Amazon.ca and ordered a bunch of 22awg solid core wire.  I guess I might as well do it right the first time.

Kind regards,

Max