Experimenting with electrical relays

[Anonymous]

I've been reading about using electrical relays to control multiple trains on one track. Greenberg's book on wiring says to use a DC relay with a rectifier b/c AC relays are so expensive, but Radio Shack had a DC and an AC relay for the same price. any suggestions on specifications for either the rectifier, AC or DC relay? I picked up a Full-Wave bridge rectifier (4 amps 50 volts) and a 12VDC Plug-In relay (contacts rated 10A), but they also had a 110VAC relay which I would rather use and avoid the rectifier. Please help!

[Anonymous]

Use the rectifier and the 12VDC relay. The 110VAC relay needs a minimum voltage to operate, and I believe that minimum is well above the 12 or 18 volts you would be using on your layout.

Sincerely,
Neil Besougloff
editor, Classic Toy Trains magazine

[Anonymous]

OK. I will give it a shot. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

George - If you need some help with relays, surf on by our website at scottsodds-n-ends.com. We're the model train realy people!
Scott

[Anonymous]

DC relays with rectifiers the best way to go.