Aristocraft motorised points art 30370 ac or dc??

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Portsladepete

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Acquired a pair of these points, besides missing screws and failure to fully throw the tie bar on one of them, I am confused regarding electrical supply to the switch. They are marked “revised”.
The instructions clearly state connect ac supply to switch, this is the same on their web, (I know they aren’t trading anymore)
When looking for advice on these on my browser however, everyone says dc current is used, Is this because the ac is rectified by the diodes in the motor housing?
I have wired them up as per Aristocraft’s instructions, and the motors do work, no buzzing or chattering, so assume it’s right. They also have motor pinions that are too loose, one worked ok for a few times then presumably just started spinning as the pinion isn’t tight enough. Overall I found the construction method very poor. I have ordered some replacement pinions to try. The frogs seem to be a bit high, and if the points are not completely flat then they won’t throw fully when using them manually. They were very inexpensive, but not sure they will be reliable enough to use them other than manually..
Anyway thanks for your time.
 
Pretty sure they use halfwave AC (via diodes) and one polarity to one direction and other polarity to the other direction, just like LGB.

I assume these are the "flat" switch motors..... strictly speaking ART 30370 is a MANUAL switch without the remote motor, a manual switch motor that looks the same externally.... you have to add the remote motor, or buy it in that configuration.
 
Thanks Greg, yes they are flat, and a right pain to put back together! Besides my one remaining wayward screw in the box there was a tiny brass collar, any idea where that might have escaped from?
 
Just out of curiosity are those point motors intended for outside use? I've used several Aristo points on my layout but as I'm all manual I removed the motors (changed them for the small square LGB jobs) and put them away in a box somewhere with the cables and switches. I thought they looked prone to rusting and potential failure.
 
The loose screw came from the throw bar to switch rails, had to rob another screw from elsewhere on the point as only one was wandering around in the box. The switch rails were flapping about! I’ve looked for sign of a collar on the ”good” point. Can’t see anything, might be my eyesight.
Having dismantled the motor , I don’t think they would stand the rigours of a Cornish summer, let alone winter, I hate things that don’t work, OCD mechanicarsus has been diagnosed.
I have ordered some pinions from a well known company in the South American rainforest, but so far, my recipe of two part epoxy and superglue is holding up. How does it go,”buy in haste, repent at leisure” or something like that.
 
If you can't get the ART motors to work, I think you can fit LGB ones instead....
 
I think I will get them working, but might just do that to be awkward, there will only be these two on my layout, mainly for somewhere else for the loco to go, so manual operation isn’t too much of an issue. Thanks for your suggestions.
 
This picture shows the brass bushings I was referring to, which may not be what you were asking:
throwbar_components.JPG


from my page:

Aristo track & Switches

Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
elmassian.com elmassian.com

Greg
 
They should fit closely but without friction in the throwbar, light lube is recommended. They allow the screws to tighten fully but not bind the action. The screw tightens on the bushing, not the throwbar, which is slightly thinner then the bushing length.

Often lost when disassembled, or overlooked.

Greg
 
Greg Elmassian said:
They should fit closely but without friction in the throwbar, light lube is recommended. They allow the screws to tighten fully but not bind the action. The screw tightens on the bushing, not the throwbar, which is slightly thinner then the bushing length.

Often lost when disassembled, or overlooked.

Greg
Click to expand...
Found them both in place Greg! Looks like the mysterious bush is an interloper from an undisclosed point, The price for the pair was a lot less than one manual point ‘s retail cost, so still a bargain. Thanks for your help.
pete
 
Both point motors fixed, new pinions from Amazon, £4.50 for 20, if anyone needs some (however unlikely), you need 8 teeth / 2mm. The difference in fit was staggering, the Aristocraft ones were slipping with minimum pressure. The new ones, proper interference fit. Also replaced 5 buttons on my old Aristocraft TE, unfortunately the reverse key doesn’t transmit although the switch tested fine. Ordered a DPDT switch, clumsy way of reversing polarity but better than picking up loco and turning it round!
 
Both point motors fixed, new pinions from Amazon, £4.50 for 10, if anyone needs some (however unlikely), you need 8 teeth 2 mm shaft. Sorry thought I hadn’t posted!
 
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