Converting a DC locomotive in AC

For starters, I run my layout on DC current and like it very much. I use a recitifier box with a direction switch that I made with a Lionel 1033 transformer. For the lower end, DC can motored locos, it is such an improvement in running. I use off board sound so that's not a biggie. Any loco without sound or TMCC will run on DC current, even the traditional Lionel AC motored locos. but a loco made for DC will only run on DC.

First off Cesco, what you will need is a circuit board reverse unit. Differing brands have wires in slightly different places or use differing colors: the Lionel and MDK K-Line reverse boards functioned the same way, were both made by Sanda Kan, yet have different colored wires. If you buy a board from a good parts dealer like Jeff Kane, The Train Tender - he'll tell you where the wires go. You'll also need a soldering gun to do the job right. Dallee Electronics also makes a very small sized circuit board reverse unit... read on.

Cesco, Lionel over the years made some lower end locomotives that DID NOT have circuit board reverse units and came in sets with small DC power packs over a transformer. Most of these locos were small 2-4-0 or 0-4-0 or 4-4-2 steamers, or the Industrial Switcher. There isn't much room in those steam locos for the mounting of an e-unit reverse board, though I suppose it could be done. Lionel made some plastic bodied 2-4-0 steamers around 1995 and these all had the reverse circuit board in the slope back tender and were wired to the loco via a tether.

On my own locos, which include a good spattering of these DC only locos, I use the additional space to add weight to the locomotive instead of a circuit board. My revamped Industrial Switchers easily pull 15 cars and I have small 2-4-0 steamers that will also do as well.

You could also wire in a small rectifier into the loco and then run it on AC current but it will only go in one direction. You could also buy a Lionel AC/DC converter box. They're not made anymore, but you can find them on eBay. They were made by Lionel for running their G-scale DC powered trains with a normal Lionel transformer.

You can go to lionel.com and get the imformation.All you ned to do is get the board.They even tell you the part number.Look under "for the hobbyist" and then"tips".

                                                         Ed

If you don't need to be able to reverse the locomotive, you can do it with a bridge rectifier.  Connect the motor to the + and - terminals of the rectifier.  Connect the other two rectifier terminals, which may be marked with ~, to the places where the motor was connected.  If it runs backwards, swap the two motor wires.

If you live where there's a Radio Shack store, their part 276-1146 (4 amperes, 50 volts) is probably a good choice.

ok, i see the lionel directive about convertion... but another question is in my head... how can i find parts... this electronic reversing unit by lionel is in online store ?!? i'm italian and in italy there isn't lionel store :(

sorry, but i want to know the exact moves for a right cinvertion !!!

many thanks to all

cesco

FORGET MY POST, I UNDERSTAND YOUR POST NOW... sorry and thanks... 

for lionelsoni

but this solution is for convert the AC in DC... i want the DC in AC... if i connect a Wienn Bridge i have rectified an AC curren on DC, with a condenser (elettrolitico) i can do this better !

i have understand right your comment ?!?

many thanks

cesco

You can order the board right from the Lionel website.The part number should be 600-0103-001.That is the only part you should need.

                                                      Ed

Mi risulta che il suo trasformatore fa AC, ma la sua locomotiva a bisogno di DC per andare.  (E vero?)  Cosi uno rettificatore a ponte (non so il nome correto in italiano--il contene quattro diodi in una cassa) fissato in la locomotiva, puo cambiare il AC in DC.  Uno condensatore non e bisognato.  Il motore va bene senza lui.

Perdona al mio italiano misero.  In boca di lupo!

ok, in this way i can use my locomotive in only one direction, forward... ok this is what i like to do and your italian is great, don't warry :-)

the correct italian translation for rettificatore a ponte like you write, is PONTE DI GRAETZ or simply PONTE DI DIODI :-)

many thanks for your patience... to next time :-)

PS: i have painted the interior of cab of my steam locomotive... i can post pictures... next time :-)

cesco

lionelsoni wrote:

Mi risulta che il suo trasformatore fa AC, ma la sua locomotiva a bisogno di DC per andare.  (E vero?)  Cosi uno rettificatore a ponte (non so il nome correto in italiano--il contene quattro diodi in una cassa) fissato in la locomotiva, puo cambiare il AC in DC.  Uno condensatore non e bisognato.  Il motore va bene senza lui. Perdona al mio italiano misero.  In boca di lupo!

Dennis

lionelsoni wrote:

"Ponte di Graetz" for the bridge rectifier, after its inventor Leo Graetz--a new Italian term for me!  Grazie, Cesco.

Prego BOB :-) you are amazing YES !!! if you want another italian terms i'm here, just ask to me :-)

cesco