Walthers 942-101 Reference Manual
WALTHERS
®
CONTROL SYSTEM
942 - 101
Switch Machine Reference Guide - Part 1 - Overview
Walthers Controls offers components for your layout that are high quality, ready to use, and feature
plug-in installation. Our products incorporate the latest technology so you can spend less time under
your layout, and more time running your trains.
Walthers Control System switch machines and related products bring you a low-cost solution for easy
turnout control for HO, N, Z, S, and O Scale layouts. The system is expandable at any time to grow
with your layout, and can be used on layouts using both DCC- or DC-power. The system components
use servo-style wiring with assembled connectors for plug-and-play easy installation. No soldering is
required. Two styles of cables are available separately to expand your wiring as needed. Userfriendly instructions are included with all items, and drilling templates for easy mounting on your layout
or fascia are included as appropriate. The Reference Guides are an overall reference for the installation and operation of each of the components shown below.
For additional information on new products and updates refer to the link below:
walthers.com/products/walthers-control-system
Switch Machines and Accessories
942-101 Switch Machine
Fully assembled servo driven slow motion
Includes integrated DCC accessory decoder
Includes two auxiliary 5A rated switches
942-110 12V 2A Filtered DC Power Supply
Powers up to 16 switch machines
Plugs into 942-111 Power Distribution Block
942-111 Power Distribution Block
Matching connector for 942-110 Power Supply
Includes 2 Extension Cables
Terminal block for alternate external power in/out
942-112 Connecting Cable, 48”(1.2 m) pkg (5)
Fully assembled with servo type connectors
Socket to Socket for connecting extra switches,
and external devices to switch machine.
942-121 Turnout Controller
Single pushbutton and dual bi-color LEDs
Includes drilling template, connecting cable,
and spacer adapters for 1/8” or 1/4” panels
942-122 Crossover Controller
Dual pushbuttons and bi-color LED indicators
Includes drilling template, connecting cables,
and spacer adapters for 1/8” or 1/4” panels
942-123 Accessory Controller
Single pushbutton and bi-color LED indicator
Includes drilling template, connecting cable,
and spacer adapters for 1/8” or 1/4” panels
942-113 Extension Cable, 48”(1.2 m) pkg (5)
Fully assembled with servo type connectors
Socket to plug used to extend connections to
controllers or power distribution block
942-101 Switch Machine ©2018 Wm. K. Walthers Inc., Milwaukee WI 53218
942-140 Drill Set
Includes 3/16”, #43, and #57 drill bits
Includes step drill matching pushbutton and
indicator bezels
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WALTHERS
®
CONTROL SYSTEM
Switch Machine Reference Guide - Part 1 - Overview
1.0 Switch Machine Overview
942 - 101
The Walthers Switch Machine is a servo based slow motion device and includes microcontroller based electronics
offering a flexible mix of control options allowing easy integration into control panels of virtually any design. The control circuitry may be powered from a 10 to18 volt filtered
DC power supply or from a standard DCC booster output.
Both dual and single LED fascia controllers are available.
Each controller features a symmetrical design both mechanically and electrically. The controllers may be installed in either direction and the electrical connection
flipped to properly indicate for left and right handed turnouts. The single and dual controllers can also be combined for use with either left or right handed crossovers.
The switch machine may also use existing single or dual
momentary pushbuttons, as well as SPST or SPDT toggle
or rotary switches to control turnout position. If DC power
is used, an option allows the machine to follow the DC
power input polarity, allowing emulation of a standard stall
motor device controlled via a DPDT reversing switch.
When DCC power is used, accessory decoder commands
may be used to control the turnout.
Digital logic compatible inputs and outputs are also available allowing integration with other layout control systems.
The switch machine also includes two integrated micro
switches which can be dedicated to other functions such
as switching frog power, signals or other layout feedback
functions. These switches are independent from all switch
machine electronics and can be used as a break-beforemake circuit as the switch machine transits from the normal and reverse positions.
The design of the switch machine electronics allows any of
the control options to be used with no reconfiguration required by the user. In many cases, multiple inputs may be
used simultaneously and toggle switch or digital inputs will
override the standard fascia controls and provide the ability
to remotely disable local turnout control via the pushbutton
inputs.
There are several user selectable options available to
modify the switch machine behavior if needed:
Power Route — Allows a DPDT switch in the DC power
input to determine switch position in lieu of control switches or buttons.
Lock Enable — Changes the POS IN terminal to LOCK
IN, disabling local control inputs when active.
Color Mode — Changes colors displayed for each turn-
out position on standard fascia controllers.
Speed — Changes throw speed from default 1 second
to 3 seconds. Optional resistor may be used to set
speed to any value between 1/2 and 5 seconds.
Swap — Exchanges switch machine normal and reverse
positions, allowing the switch machine to be installed in
either orientation to the turnout independent of left or
right-handed operation.
The switch machine uses a self-locking mechanism to convert the servo rotation into linear actuator wire motion.
Servo rotation is fixed and independent of the throw distance and tension adjustment. In addition the point tension
is provided by the actuator wire, not from the servo, so the
switch machine may be continuously operated into a
jammed point without risk of damage or overload. Strong,
self-lubricating Delrin is used for all plastic components
allowing the switch machine to provide years of reliable
trouble-free operation.
A complete system of fascia controls and indicators can be
combined with the switch machines and power supply using pre-made cables and provide easy plug-and-play installation requiring no soldering, cutting or difficult wiring.
The switch machine and controllers include drilling templates and spacers to facilitate the design and construction
of layout controls for ease of use and uniform clean appearance.
Each component is complete with connecting cables,
mounting and drilling templates for easy installation. Extension cables are available to extend the connections to
fascia controls and power supply if needed.
A drill set is available with all sizes needed to mount the
switch machine to the layout benchwork and controller buttons and indicators to fascia control panels. The switch
machine is designed to integrate seamlessly with other
components of the Walthers Control System and provides
a versatile system for both control panel design and turnout control.
942-101 Switch Machine ©2018 Wm. K. Walthers Inc., Milwaukee WI 53218
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