Subject:
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Power control for trains...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.loc.us.ca.sf
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Date:
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Wed, 2 Jun 1999 05:08:58 GMT
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Original-From:
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Zonker Harris <zonkerh@corp.webtv.net/StopSpammers/>
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Viewed:
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668 times
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My initial experiments have met with limited success. But, since
there seems to have been some equipment damaged, I wanted to share
my findings as a caution to others who might try. :-(
I used the RF "transceiver" module. This plugs into the wall, and
allows you to plug an AC load into a relay-switched socket. You can
use a portable RF device to turn the switched outlet power on and off.
This function works fine! No problem. I like it a lot. :-)
I also tried to use a "lamp module", with a dimming function, to
try to control the actual track power using an RF remote with dimmer
feature buttons. While I had some limited success, I seem to have
burned out three seperate power packs ("wall warts") while testing.
As far as I know, the track power controllers were not damaged.
I cannot recommend this solution yet. BEWARE! :-(
My testing included running the controllers with two motor units
on the track at once, and at one point I had added 4 wagons as a
weight load. This may be the straw that broke the camels back.
Strangely, I used these same power packs and controllers at the
recent LEGOfest, with two and three motor loads, and 5-7 wagons,
without any damage.
I need to go back of the power ratings for these power control
devices. All of the failures occured while attached to the lamp
module, after I had been using the dimmer to reduce the power to
the track power controllers. In one case, the motors were running
along slowly, and then started running faster and faster, then it
sudenly stopped. (On this last failure, the power pack seemed to
pass more power than usual to the motor before failing. :-(
I haven't been able to confirm that the motors are unharmed.
However, after each failure, I could not see any indication of
power on the track power controller LED. But, plugging another
power pack into the track power controller would light the LED.
So, I have a bit of engineering work ahead to provide a way to
restrict the speed of trains by remote control.
-Z-
-- 8<----( clip and save! )-------------------------------------
http://baylug.org/carlsbad99.html Grand Opening Planning Page
http://baylug.org/zonker/ my main page
http://baylug.org/zonker/ZFSOne.html the Firehouse
http://baylug.org/zonker/ZRondDom.html the Round House
http://baylug.org/zonker/ZTrajnoj.html my trains page
http://baylug.org/zonker/ZSignal.html LED signal circuit
http://baylug.org/zonker/tables/building.html table plans
David K. Z. Harris frenezulo@esperanto.org
"It's a good start, but I'm always looking for a few more LEGOs"
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Power control for trains...
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| Z says: (...) <snip all that stuff about electronics that I don't understand...> ;-) I still think it would perhaps be a good idea to hide the power source for the trains away from the public's hands. If they can't access the control unit, they (...) (25 years ago, 2-Jun-99, to lugnet.loc.us.ca.sf)
| | | Re: Power control for trains...
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| --- Zonker Harris wrote: Don't know if this went out so I'm reposting here on Lugnet too! (...) Ouch! Yeah, I've heard that changing the high voltage end of the transformer is not the way to go, especially where circuitry more complex than a (...) (25 years ago, 2-Jun-99, to lugnet.loc.us.ca.sf)
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