[Phil Leigh]

Hi all.
I'm still beavering away chipping all my locos and fitting lights as necessary. In the meantime I'm trying to decide on how best to wire up my points. I'm thinking about using Tortoise slow motion motors on the main line(s) and I'd like to use some (Berko?) red/green led signals to show which route is set on the points. I'd also like to be able to communicate the point setting back to the DCC controller (or PC) for eventual computer control. I haven't fully thought this through yet and I want to build a (very simple) prototype to test everything out. So, any advice on how to do this with DCC? (I'm using an Elite for the moment). What decoders should I use for the tortoise and what else do I need? I use Lenz silvers in my locos (and Lenz function decoders in my non-driving DMU cars).
I'm looking for nice slow point action and the pairs of lights (one per point exit) changing as the point throws...plus feedback so that eventually I can automate everything.
Many thanks in advance for your collective wisdom and expertise.
Phil

 

[Phil Leigh]

Thanks guys - that was very helpful.

I'll get a tortoise and a fulgarex and try them out on my "prototyping layout" (ie a bit of wood).
I didn't quite follow what decoder I would require...a regular one presumably and not a "point decoder"? - is that right?
Cheers
Phil