Subject:
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Re: The End of 9 Volt? (was: Re: Train motors half price via S@H weekly special)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Sun, 7 Aug 2005 19:17:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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2643 times
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"Paul S. D'Urbano" <durbano@optonline.net> writes:
> Okay, so what if you still get power from the rails but control the train
> speed/direction (hopefully sounds and lights, too!) via RC? Is there a reason
> they couldn't do this? Sure, you can't do reversing loops without insulating
> track, but who cares about that? It could still be compatible with today's 9V
> trains and just be an upgrade in functionality. For example you could even have
> new trains with the RC controller pegged on max forward speed and then use the
> old 9V controller powering the rails to set the train speed/direction like we do
> now.
That wouldn't work all that well, I expect. There is a lower limit of
voltage with which the electronics of the RC receiver will work. Below that,
it would likely not drive the motor at all.
I don't *know* any more than others (likely less!), but here's what I'd
like to see.
The new system should use 9V AC power. Yes, AC. The new control system
should consist of a few separate pieces for the high-end:
1) RC unit. It has connectors for power in (AC or DC). It has a connector
for power out to the motor. It also has connectors for a light and
some other arbitrary control function (the more the better!). The
unit can also have internal sound for horn, bell, whistle, etc.
2) Motor. Has connector wires to connect to RC receiver.
3) Battery boxes - much like now - provides 9V DC. Can be variants for
using a single 9V battery, or for using 6 1.5 volt AA batteries. If
the existing 9V connectors are used, then we can use our existing
battery boxes.
4) Track power pickup trucks. This should be on the powered motor units
(using a separate connector), and also on non-powered trucks.
Other options:
5) low-cost combined unit. This could have batteries and RC stuff all
in one unit. Minimum cost has a single connector for motor power.
A cheaper variant of the motorized truck would have no track power
pickup provisions.
This system would work with both cheap plastic rail, and with the more
expensive metal-topped rail. If a couple of wheel types are available, then
the cheaper battery-only units could use gear-like wheels like in the older
sets, and allow young kids to have working steep hills.
Why AC? The advantage of AC is that you get much better low-speed operation,
because the rectified AC ends up being pulsed power. The motors will make
a bit of a humming noise, but would be able to creep along at very low
speeds. With AC power input, there are also no polarity issues with feeding
track or battery power into the RC receiver.
Note that putting an old-style 9V motor on a track powered with 9V AC will
likely not hurt the motor. They are pretty tough. They would sit there
and buzz. Putting a new RC 9V train on old 9V DC track would work as Paul
says, so long as the voltage is high enough for the electronics.
--
Experience should guide us, not rule us.
Chris Gray cg@ami-cg.GraySage.COM
http://www.nalug.COM/
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