I'm contemplating using the Piko switch machines, because of their good weatherproofing. The price is right (about $35), but they ream you for the optional DCC decoder (another $60) and relay contacts (and another ~$22+).
I don't think they're the "stall motor" type, because they can't take constant voltage being applied. On the other hand, I'm not totally sure if they're an instantaneous coil type (though there are coils in them, per their lit).
Question: has anyone found an alternate decoder that works well with these Piko machines?
BTW, I have a number of Train Li DCC switch drives, and the price is great ($45, DCC ready; and dirt cheap to add secondary relay contacts). I might just keep using them, but they're not sealed up at all like the Piko's. Anyone used both? Any opinions on other factors?
Thanks,
Cliff
[edit]
I just read that the NCE Switch-Kat ($20) is programmable for how many milliseconds its output stays on, so that's cool. True, I'd need a WP box & connectors, but they're cheap. Anyone hooked it up with a Piko?
I don't think they're the "stall motor" type, because they can't take constant voltage being applied. On the other hand, I'm not totally sure if they're an instantaneous coil type (though there are coils in them, per their lit).
Question: has anyone found an alternate decoder that works well with these Piko machines?
BTW, I have a number of Train Li DCC switch drives, and the price is great ($45, DCC ready; and dirt cheap to add secondary relay contacts). I might just keep using them, but they're not sealed up at all like the Piko's. Anyone used both? Any opinions on other factors?
Thanks,
Cliff
[edit]
I just read that the NCE Switch-Kat ($20) is programmable for how many milliseconds its output stays on, so that's cool. True, I'd need a WP box & connectors, but they're cheap. Anyone hooked it up with a Piko?