LGB point motors

[granddad gnome]

will a LGB point motor work if the power is taken from the track (DCC) then through a on /center off Dias/ on switch wired to change its polarity, or must it be 12 volt DC

 

[stockers]

Yes.
Actually 12v is not really enough for LGB motors. They will probably work at that but 18V plus is needed for a good 'Thunk'.

 

[ntpntpntp]

will a LGB point motor work if the power is taken from the track (DCC) then through a on /center off Dias/ on switch wired to change its polarity, or must it be 12 volt DC

No, just using something like a cross-wired DPDT centre off switch won't do the trick as DCC is an alternating wave form. You'll need to use a couple of diodes and an SPDT switch to at least half-rectify the supply, exactly the same as if using an AC supply. There are example circuits on the net for powering LGB point motors from AC and have been posted on this forum. Try the following link and scroll down to Neil's diagrams and explanation for powering the point motors using AC or DC...
http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=86693

As Alan (stockers) has said, really you need a bit more than 12V to throw an LGB motor reliably once it's attached to a point.

 

[stockers]

Ah!, Nick, you are of course correct on the diode/AC/DC bit.

 

[ntpntpntp]

This does beg the question - why do you want to drive a point motor this way from the track dcc? I'd either use accessory decoders and get full remote control of the points from the throttle or from a computer (if you want to go down that road), or continue with a traditional DC wiring system for the points that's totally separate from the DCC.

 

[stockers]

I agree - use a decoder - There are a couple on the fleabay at the moment. The decoder CAN be just attached to the running rails.

 

[Gizzy]

If you do want to operate points with a switch (Analogue DC), I would use these?

http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GM511&style=main&strType=g

Come with the diodes required and instructions as necessary....

 

[korm kormsen]

the LGB points made during the last 30+ years are designed to work with 16V AC fromt the powerpack (being split by diodes)

at least that is, what the LGB documentations claim...
...and what worked for decades on my layouts.

 

[Tim Brien]

I typically use 20 volts AC through a LGB power booster to reliably run point motors, but find that a 14 volt AC is just as reliable.

Many recommend a separate power supply for the point motors as using track DCC to power them. takes available power away from the locomotoves. If you have ample power available for both, then no problem.