Subject:
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Re: First Trains
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Fri, 9 Feb 2001 23:58:02 GMT
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Viewed:
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701 times
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If I run my trains at 3v, then two Lego Solar Panels can provide ~3v. Looks
like I have another project after this one.
As for powering the RCX through the train track, I had not thought about having
to run the controller full tilt to power the RCX. That would surely limit
putting other trains on the track. I may have to resort to an RCX and battery
pack for a long session. I have decided to build an 8-wide engine to house the
RCX instead of a box car using this Amtrak car
(http://www.robotthoughts.com/article.php?sid=101) as a
model. I can then put a tender car or passenger car behind with a battery box.
Rich Thompson
http://www.robotthoughts.com
http://www.tennlug.com
In lugnet.trains, Josh Baakko writes:
> In lugnet.trains, Jason J. Railton writes:
> > 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.
>
> Wait a minute, that Capicator (i think thats how i'ts spelt) can give around • 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.
>
> Now that would be cheep...
> Josh
>
> > There
> > may have been a good reason for LEGO taking the power jack out for RCX v1.5.
> >
> > Jason J Railton.
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: First Trains
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| (...) You're forgetting something important - as the load on the motor increases (e.g. pulling more weight), the current it draws will increase { Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A) }. You only regulate the voltage with the controller, not the (...) (24 years ago, 10-Feb-01, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: First Trains
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| (...) 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)
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