Subject:
|
Re: First Trains
|
Newsgroups:
|
lugnet.trains
|
Date:
|
Fri, 9 Feb 2001 19:49:31 GMT
|
Viewed:
|
730 times
|
| |
|
|
In lugnet.trains, Rich Thompson writes:
> I have been looking for examples of wiring a train motor to supply power to
> the RCX from the transformer, while still allowing the RCX to start and stop
> the train. If anyone has any links, I would love to see how this can be done.
> I have seen a web page where the RCX was wired to a motor, but no instructions
> were provided. I will probably dive in soon and try to figure it out myself.
Hmm. I tried powering my train motor off a battery box, connecting to the
electric studs on the top, and it belted around the track. I guess you're
using slow speed mode from the RCX? I'd be a bit worried about how much
power the RCX can put out, though I guess they're fairly tough little
beasts. Of course, this has the side effect of electrifying the whole track
and anything else on it too.
What you need to do is break the connection from the train wheels, and
divert it down wires into a substitute battery pack in the RCX. Then you
can route an RCX output into the top of the train motor to drive it, without
shorting to the wheels or powering up the track. Trouble is, this means
dissecting a motor.
There is another thing to remember. Your trains may say 9V, but they're not
running on that. The controller is a rheostat, or potential divider. It's
a simple voltage regulator. You only get 9V when it's at full power.
Usually you'll be operating trains at about 1/3 power, or 3V. Thus you'd
have to supply full power to run the RCX, then have it control the speed.
You could also find that with the mains supply connected, your motor draws
more current through the RCX than its circuits can handle. It's not just a
matter of flattening your batteries, but of melting something vital. There
may have been a good reason for LEGO taking the power jack out for RCX v1.5.
Jason J Railton.
|
|
Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: First Trains
|
| (...) Wait a minute, that Capicator (i think thats how i'ts spelt) can give around 3V! (...) Now that would be cheep... Josh (...) (24 years ago, 9-Feb-01, to lugnet.trains)
|
Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: First Trains
|
| Not much right now. I forgot to post a picture of the front of the boxcar. It has clear windows to allow the RCX to receive IR commands. I have used the Lego remote to control the train. Eventually, the RCX will be the main power for the train and (...) (24 years ago, 8-Feb-01, to lugnet.trains)
|
8 Messages in This Thread:
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
This Message and its Replies on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
