atlas turntable

[humper0891]

I just added a Atlas turntable to my layout.  I am stuck on the wiring for this.  Running the turntable motor is not a problem, but as to getting power for the turntable track is just frustrating me.  Any help would be appreciated.  I am using NCE system. 

[gnfan]

Hello,

If the DCC system shorts out/shuts down when you try to run a locomotive on to the turntable swap the track connections on the turntable.
DCC signals do have "polarity". It may well be that the turntable polarity is reversed and swapping the DCC leads on the turnable will fix that.

Without more information on what happens this is my first guess.

Here is the link to the Atlas Instructions if you don't have it.

download.atlasrr.com/pdf/HOTurntable.pdf

The turntable has connections for the track wires on either side of the mount where the motor goes.

The turntable uses a method to reverse the polarity of the rails as it rotates the table. See the diagrams in the instructions.
You do not need a DCC Auto-reverser unit since the turntable wiring does this for you.

DavidB

[bnsf971]

You'll need to wire an Atlas Twin for the turntable track, so you can reverse polarity to it. An auto-reverse DCC "switch" for wiring wyes and reverse loops would also work, though that option would be pricier.

[gnfan]

The Atlas Turntable uses "split ring" wiring to power the track on the turntable.
This means the turntable itself handles the polarity switching and no external devices are needed with DC or DCC.
You don't need a DCC auto reverse unit or any external controls for the turntable track..

If one follows the directions from Atlas when installing and wiring the turntable it can be used with DCC as is.
Pay attention to the middle section of the instruction sheet where the rails are marked "A" and "B" so track polarity is correct on all of the trackage.

You will need to power the tail tracks coming off the turntable since it doesn't feed power to those.
It would be useful to add in switches to turn off the tail tracks so locos can be parked with out drawing power from the DCC.
Again pay attention to the "A" and "B" notation in the instructions so you don't cause any shorts when moving off the turntable. (applies to both DCC and DC)

The instructions are written for DC users so the examples show added in controllers for changing the direction the table moves.

Again refer to the Atlas instructions. [download.atlasrr.com/pdf/HOTurntable.pdf ]and if in doubt contact Atlas directly for clarification.

DavidB

[santafe49]

Just a quick question on the #0305 Atlas turntable.
It states it is a 9" turntable. What is the actual diameter measurement for the complete unit from the outside edges of the base?

[gnfan]

May 29, 2019 11:51:35 GMT -8 santafe49 said:

Just a quick question on the #0305 Atlas turntable.
It states it is a 9" turntable. What is the actual diameter measurement for the complete unit from the outside edges of the base?

I have one somewhere, but where is anyone's guess, I do know the track section is 9 inches. With the added outside lip it's around 10 inches total diameter.
The motor area increases the footprint.

DavidB

[santafe49]

Thanks David. I kind of figured it was something like that, just looking at the outer ring.