Subject:
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Re: Aaargh. L272 IC needed.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto
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Date:
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Tue, 17 Jul 2001 14:50:42 GMT
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Viewed:
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515 times
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Having built a number of non-DCC reversing loops, I can tell you it's
pretty straightforward to jumper using track power leads, as Larry
suggests. It can get pricey if you're buying them from S@H, but I
expect most trainheads have more leads and power packs than they
normally need :)
I insulate using a layer of masking tape on the connectors at each end
of the track, making a 2-layer thick pad. I haven't had any problem
with wear breaking the insulation, but then, I've only run the
insulation for a few hundred cycles, not thousands.
Jeff E
Calum Tsang wrote:
>
> In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> > > We're going to have to modify switches if we're going full bore after train2.
> >
> > I wonder if there is a way to cheat? That is, use track connectors to jumper
> > the power to the unpowered rail. I have to take a close look at a turnout
> > when I get home this weekend to make sure doing that doesn't cause shorts
> > but I don't think it does with this (rather heavily insulated, the frog is
> > divided, and the points contact plastic IIRC) turout design. This would be
> > something to do for folks that aren't ready to butcher switches yet.
>
> IIRC there are pads on the bottom of the frog where jumper wires that could
> be soldered onto. But the track connectors idea is very doable, it should
> work great.
>
> > Tom and I were talking about what it would take to commercialise this a bit
> > (recall if you will I previously said I would rather buy some converted
> > motors than do the work myself because I am klutzy...) but we didn't think
> > of the "build your own receiver" route.
>
> If you wanted to start a side business of selling integrated decoder plus 9V
> train motor type devices, then you'd have to cost the price of the 5300 AND
> a commercial decoder, then also factor in the cost of yours or someone elses
> time. All told, in Canadian dollars, it would be nearly $100 in material
> costs alone, then labour, then shipping (even if you get people to trade in
> their 5300, they still need to mail it into you.
>
> It's really not that hard-If one's not capable of soldering an N scale
> yourself, one really should reconsider DCC/model railroading as a hobby.
> Scratchbuilding is probably the most fun part model railroading in the
> traditional sense! Now Lego is a little different (ie, scratchbuilding is
> not a major part of it), but it shouldn't discourage you from doing a DCC
> install. You'll learn some new skills.
>
> The truth of the matter is this sort of thing isn't worth my time to go and
> try and make a buck on it. That's probably why existing commercial decoders
> are so frickin expensive-they're common parts, but with production
> infrastructure and overheads factored in. We'll probably do up 10-20 or so
> decoders in a batch for rtlToronto members and call it that.
>
> Calum
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Aaargh. L272 IC needed.
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| (...) One small savings possible is that you do NOT need to jumper the outside rails! (think about it, they run through) So you can get away with a track power connector that connects to just the two inner rails... depending on whether you have more (...) (23 years ago, 17-Jul-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Aaargh. L272 IC needed.
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| (...) IIRC there are pads on the bottom of the frog where jumper wires that could be soldered onto. But the track connectors idea is very doable, it should work great. (...) If you wanted to start a side business of selling integrated decoder plus (...) (23 years ago, 17-Jul-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
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