Subject:
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Re: A brief reflexion on power sources
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Mon, 28 Jul 2003 15:41:30 GMT
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Viewed:
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1127 times
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Some thoughts from someone who has a little experience:
Decoders: Should be built into the motor, non removable. Cost for commercial
decoders is ~19 usd for a "series 3" decoder with 1/2 function outputs. That is
retail. Should be able to make them for under $5 when made for a commercial
company...which puts them into the range of not breaking the bank (assuming that
the train motor costs ~$10-15 right now to make).
There is little noticable difference when operating a decoder equipped engine on
9V dc, except that it won't fly off the curves. (and that shouldn't disapoint
too many people :).
I'd rather see lego go with DCC protocol rather than developing its own. DCC is
not hard to make (from an electronic standpoint), is mature, and has a world
wide backing. This would also allow lego to produce the bare minimum of
equipment that is modified (I'm thinking of 4 things- points that are easier to
throw, the train motor, and a accessory decoder that is in a ~1x4x6 brick or
so...even perhaps a 2x6 brick and a slightly modified RCX 1.0 with more
hardkeys, and a single output rather than 3).
Use the RCX 1.0 design as the basis for the power unit, that gives a cost figure
of ~120 for the base station, and away we go.
Unfortunately, we have been whining about this for years, and nothing has yet
happened.
James Powell
PS: with regards to 6 wheels in a train motor- it is possible, I am mocking one
up right now...I'm going to have to get some brass to make a pair of my own
wheels rather than using the lego ones though, since drilling a hole in the
current ones tends to produce a offset hole that then means the wheel runs a
little excentric...this will be with 6 wheels & side rods...wait and see how I
do it (but it is NOT pure, let me tell you!- it does prove that it is practical
though...)
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: A brief reflexion on power sources
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| (...) That indeed sounds good! Much nicer than the $50-100 we're paying in Holland for an average decoder right now... (...) While it may be very common in the USA, I've yet to see such decoders here in Europe. At most train shows I've visited so (...) (21 years ago, 28-Jul-03, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: A brief reflexion on power sources
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| (...) What with a motor with blown up decoder? Buy a new motor, or better, should the motorblock be able to open, as in the 4.5V and early 12V era for replacement? (...) I'd like to see following external functions: 1) Front / rear light on/off with (...) (21 years ago, 28-Jul-03, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: A brief reflexion on power sources
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| (...) Especially kids :-) (...) Which could double as base for the signalpole (I think). Then its bulkyness would be in disguise alongside the track :-) (...) LOL! :-) Yes, I intend to attend the show this year. Hope to meet you there! (...) Neat (...) (21 years ago, 28-Jul-03, to lugnet.trains)
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