I should know this, and I've searched on here to find the answer without success.

Many moons ago, I started using Tortoise motors controlled by the Lenz LS150 accessory decoders.  I remember having great difficulty electrically and was lead through the process by, I think John Dew and Sol.

Memory isn't what it was and I can't remember how to do it …………………. :oops:

If memory serves me right, I think the LS 150 is powered by a separate transformer and also connected to the Loconet via the J & K terminals on the LS 100 control centre.  There are 6 x 3 wire outputs - the outer 2 need joining after 2 opposing diodes and the centre one is the other side of this circuit.

When I come to the Tortoise, Pin 2 connects to the + rail and Pin 3 to the - rail.  Pin 4 connects to the frog.  What do I connect Pins 1 and 8 to ?  Are they connected to the 2 outputs from the LS 150 and if so, does it matter which goes to which on the LS 150 ? 

Many thanks and sorry to be such a dumbo !!

Looking in the wrong place Peter

This link will work for you as you are a member

MRC tortoise ls150 thread


Brian

Thanks Brian - that actually wasn't the thread I was looking for but it made excellent reading nevertheless.  Good to refresh ones memory from time to time and wow, the things I'd forgotten - like visiting an old friend..

As it turns out, I did record the wiring plan and found it in yet another box this afternoon - whilst looking for something else and yes, I did label the boxes when I packed everything away but there are some "assorted contents" boxes which weren't labelled.

Are you ok with the connections now? I missed your earlier post.
Dont forget about the slow processing time LS150s have with stall (Tortoise) motors. Its best to allocate the turnouts randomly to a number of LS150s  rather than in logical (route) order. LS 150s are superb with solenoid motors but if you are now mostly tortoises and you need additional decoders buy an NCE SWITCH 8……..alternatively DCC Concepts now offer a stall motor decoder but I havent tried it

Regards

John

Agree with John. When I converted from Peco solenoids to Tortoises I sold my LS150s on Ebay and bought NCE Switch8s instead. Got about £30 each for the LS150s and the Switch8s were about £45. But then they are 8-way compared to 6-way for the LS150s, plus they have no problem switching two motors on one port meaning I needed fewer ports overall, so in the end the conversion was "cost neutral".

I use the DCC Concepts AD-8FX Decuoders for stall motors they are very good you can run multiple motors from one output if you wish. Easy to set up

They also do a 2 output version as well if you do not require 8

Brian

I have used their ADSfx which are the equivalent for solenoid motors they are brilliant because they throw the point AND change the polarity.........I have used them to replace 8 pesky peco switches that failed under points that I can no longer reach...they are also good with surface mounted points.........the bad news is that they have been out of stock for a year now:sad:

You are correct John getting hold of them is the difficult thing i managed to find some in stock with a retailer looking around it is possible to find them. Not sure why they are not generally in stock as its a very good product.

Brian

Thanks for your replies guys.

Yes John, I do have the connections mapped out so shouldn't experience any problems.

Regarding the Switch 8s, I'm not sure how many points I'll end up with but any further decoders will indeed be the Switch 8s rather than the LS150s.  Interesting that you found their cost was sensibly offset by selling the LS150s Robert.  Not sure how that might work here in France - indeed, I'm not sure what the market for them is over here but it's probably worth checking.  I'd have to register on E-Bay.fr to do that …………………. :roll:

On the original Maxmill, I did operate 2 motors from a single output very easily with no apparent overload problems.  That's important because I do have at least 3 crossovers on this lower level.

Unfortunately, I won't get much time for trains before I go to UK on Thursday so experiments might have to wait until my return…………………