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Hi Don

I think...not too sure that I read somewhere about 'memory wire' AKA muscle wire or Flexinol being used to control points.
I have no idea if you could get it to work or it would be reliable enough to to use with an accessory decoder for eventual PC control.

Having just checked the Merg kit locker they do have a memory wire starter kit enough to control 4 turnouts, this maybe something you might like to try.
You would need some crank arms as well as springs to pull the memory wire back to it's original length.
In the technical notes it does say another member has used only 30mm of memory wire to operate N-gauge points, this could be powered by an accessory decoder which you can alter the pulse length on.

It may work out more expensive than point motors, but I guess if you buy a decent length of wire it could work out cheaper.

The slow acting motors are all much more expensive so I don't think we need go there!

The only other alternative is using WIT items (wire in tube) which is exactly what it says, but you wouldn't be able to operate these using a decoder and hence PC control.

I've not seen anything else (which doesn't really mean a great deal) but you may end up having to scratch build something for yourself.

Cheers

 

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This is the Modratec W.I.T. components:-

Modratec WIT

There is a UK supplier of WIT items as well GEM model railways they call it Mercontrol:-

GEM Mercontrol

You should be able to find all the linkages you need from that lot.
I've not priced it up, so I have no idea if will be cheaper or not, it may depend on how much you order.

Anyway hope it helps.

Cheers

 

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Don

I really think your making a mountain out of a mole hill on this.
Ok I can understand exactly where your coming from but there are numerous ways of moving points all detailed in this thread.
Your now trying to re-invent the wheel...or should I say get fellow forum members to do it.

As you've bought the ECoS and want shuttle routes and future PC control then you need something reliable and will interface with said controller/PC

This to me means using tortoise/fulgerex or the standard twin coil type motors with an accessory decoder.
Yes they are expensive....isn't most things to do with hobbies

What most modellers do is buy a few to start off with then add more to it later as money allows.

Obviously the replies given don't answer you specific questions or give you the design of a completely new way to move points.
Your last few posts have just over complicated things where it's really not needed, no doubt thinking out loud as we all do

Why not just buy a few components and see what you can come up with, at a price that works for you?

QUOTE So! It went off 'track' and off subject. Nobody had to respond. You chose to! Everybody could have stayed 'in the box'. Everybody could have said I was a time wasting fool and in fact I virtually invited it.

Oh and by the way your a time wasting fool, go buy some point motors and run some trains

 

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Serious out of the box thinking, I never could get the hang of that!

Don, your only vindicated when you've built it and we see photos of it all working

Just cutting a slice of humble pie as we speak

Cracking idea though!

 

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Well, we have to have a laugh!

I've read posts on another forum where it gets very heated.
We are all trying to help each other out, so there is no point in getting worked up about anything.

I really didn't see that solution anywhere, and I'm supposed to be an engineer

Plus when I'm wrong I will say so, not that I'm wrong now of course, I just didn't see that idea

I reckon we need to get a 'Tongue in cheek' smilie!

Anyway you've got till Sunday, a week should be ample time to build, test and market the idea (with all 40 points I might add!) we need to see it so we can copy it before any patents pending and thus get charged for it!

 

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I've seen these before just couldn't remember what they were called or where they were!!

Thanks for the link!

I just think they're too expensive, for a manual point operation!

More info HERE