PJ_model_trains Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hi guys I have done a search for Cobalt but many of the threads on here are old so though as I was considering slow action point motors DCC and have threads for other makes on here it makes sense to discuss Cobalt ones on this new separate thread. Has anyone used and set up the Cobalt Digital slow action point motors with RailMaster and using eLink? How good are they?How easy are they to install?How easy is it to set the CV's?Do you set the CV up prior to adding to the track or does it not matter?Which motor did you use? Cobalt iP Digital? Comments welcome. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 HiI have eighteen Cobalt iP Digitals on my layout, operated by both switch and from my Hornby Elite, and they work well. I can't help you with Railmaster/eLink. They did not programme using the DCC Concepts instructions, but TWD who posts on here, formulated his own system, which I followed, and everything works perfectly. They are fairly easy to fit - I found it best to make a plasticard template with four screw and point rod cutouts, mark the board, and pre-drill and cut the slot. The one thing I did find they are a little nosier than I had hoped for, event using the self-adhesive sponge pad supplied with the motor. If I can find the programming instructions I will post them in here - save you searching. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 So here is the way TWD got it to workWith the motor DCC inputs connected directly to Elite Track Outputs (NB probably works if connecting via DCC bus):1. Switch on Elite2. Motor does self centering manoeuvre (left,right,centre)3. Put run/set switch to SET4. Press ACC on Elite TWICE5. Dial in 198 using Control button 2 (CB2)6. Press CB2 (I also pressed CB1 for good luck!)7. Put run/set switch to RUN8. Press CB1 and CB29. Set run/set switch to SET10. Press ACC on Elite ONCE11. Dial in required point address on CB212. Press CB2 (again I pressed CB1 for luck)13. Set run/set switch to RUN14. Press CB1 and CB2 and check motor moves left and right.15. Switch Elite Off/On and check motor doesn't self centre and responds to new address ID.JOB DONE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The OP has a eLink and Railmaster not an Elite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thanks BB I have noted this thread and page ;o)Also found PDF manuals on DCC Concepts and Gaugemaster sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 When you say more noisy than you hoped. What level of noise would you say, a light whirling noise or more?Certainly nothing as bad or as loud as solenoid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_ Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 PJ, I fitted my first Cobalt IP digital to my layout a couple of weeks ago, no problems at all and I will be installing more over the next few weeks. RailMaster/eLink recognises them in the point drop down and I programmed it to the my required address using the instructions DCC Concepts supplied. Just note that the powering off/on of the point moter at the specified times does seem to be required. The motor does make a bit of a wurring/grinding noise, no louder than the 'click' from a solenoid but of longer in duration as it pulls the point blades across. The point I have connected it to is a Pico Electrofrog point and I did remove the spring so the blades draw across smoothly and it looks really good. The frog switching option works perfectly and is really easy to setup (i.e. just connect the wire to the frog) If fitted to a Hornby point you may not need to remove the spring because they are less strong than the Pico ones.Hope this helps, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 PJ, I fitted my first Cobalt IP digital to my layout a couple of weeks ago, no problems at all and I will be installing more over the next few weeks. RailMaster/eLink recognises them in the point drop down and I programmed it to the my required address using the instructions DCC Concepts supplied. Just note that the powering off/on of the point moter at the specified times does seem to be required. The motor does make a bit of a wurring/grinding noise, no louder than the 'click' from a solenoid but of longer in duration as it pulls the point blades across. The point I have connected it to is a Pico Electrofrog point and I did remove the spring so the blades draw across smoothly and it looks really good. The frog switching option works perfectly and is really easy to setup (i.e. just connect the wire to the frog) If fitted to a Hornby point you may not need to remove the spring because they are less strong than the Pico ones.Hope this helps, Nick The fitting is reassuring, the noise a bit disappointing.Are you using P*co Code 100 or Code 75 track and points/turn-outs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_ Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 PJ, I use a mixture of P*co Code 100 elctro-frog & insu-frog points plus a couple of Hornby points and Hornby track. So far I have only fitted a Cobalt IP digital to a P*co medium radius Code 100 electro-frog point.My baseboard is 1/2" ply on 2x2 braced frames fixed to the walls so it does act as a bit of a sound box, possibly making the point motors sound nosier that they might othewise beNick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 Hi NickI will stick to Code 100, using Electrofrog for medium turn-outs and Insulfrog for curved turn-outs. I would have used Electrofrog for all of them but the standard turnout, 2nd/3rd radius is only Insulfrog, You have to have space for 30" / 60" radius for the Electrofrog. That means a lot of space! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Hi PJI always imagined that the slow action point motors were very quiet. It appears from the above that you could go from a quick noisy clunk of a solenoid to a more lengthy motor grinding noise, with the ones described above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_ Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Cobalt's definitely make some noise, they are not totally silent, but they are quieter than these http://minxmicrodrives.com/ which can be heard in their video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Hi PJI always imagined that the slow action point motors were very quiet. It appears from the above that you could go from a quick noisy clunk of a solenoid to a more lengthy motor grinding noise, with the ones described above. Thanks RDSI was starting to wonder! The choice was becoming a slow motion motor with positive movement (and whirling noise ) orFaster action, shake your points silly (with loud Click-Click noise) If they both have noise the benefit has to be slow positive movement that doesn't shake the living daylights out of the point. But I admit I too was surprised at the replies and a little disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Cobalt's definitely make some noise, they are not totally silent, but they are quieter than these http://minxmicrodrives.com/ which can be heard in their video. Thanks Nick The minimicrodrives do sound noisy, but we never know on videos where the microphone was. Another consideration is Cobalt motors are under the layout whereas the minxmicrodrives are on top. Good to access the small motors from above but if noisy not good on top of the layout. As they say... swings and roundabouts with everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_ Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 PJ, Agreed swings and roundabouts.I like the Cobalt IP digitals because they are so easy to wire up for electro-frog and easy to program with RM/eLink too. For me, The noise isn't loud enough to be a problem. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 @PJ Are the Minxmicrodrives DCC controllable? R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 When will someone make piezo legs points motors which require a DCC type signal to drive them.google it - they are used in all sorts of precise linear of rotary events, including driving lenses in cameras.i've been banging on about it for years.maybe I should commission a manuf to knocv out 10,000 of them for me and make my fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I did look these up when you mentioned them before. Seems ideal, very controllable and practically silent, can't ask for much more really, well apart from being 25p each that is. R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 @PJ Are the Minxmicrodrives DCC controllable? R-.Yes, there is a socket at the end of the large controller interface box into which a £15 DCC decoder upgrade module plugs into. These are mentioned on the product website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 RAF, of course you could make a piezo motor to respond to a DCC signal, but only by having a decoder incorporated into it. The decoder is essential to determine which motor is to respond, then for generating the correct volts/amps/shape/duration to activate the motor to change the point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Thanks, I didn't get that far into the blurb. R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teedoubleudee Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Another consideration worhy of mention is that the makers/suppliers of the Cobalt motors is DCC Concepts who offer a generous Lifetime warranty. No connection. TWD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 And Richard the owner is easy to get on with by email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 PJ, Agreed swings and roundabouts.I like the Cobalt IP digitals because they are so easy to wire up for electro-frog and easy to program with RM/eLink too. For me, The noise isn't loud enough to be a problem. Nick Thanks Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ_model_trains Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks, I didn't get that far into the blurb. R- Thanks for asking the question RogerBThanks for filling in ChrissafMy present conclusion, a separate decoder is needed and they are noisy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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