Directronic rectifier

[lionelsoni]

I got this from rmsullivan1:

"I was hoping you might be able to offer me some advice. My grandfather picked up an American Flyer train set for me sometime in the late 50's. It was a brand new set (1947 model) and I never used it - my dad had put together a newer HO set for me. I found it in the attic in perfect condition and set it up this past Christmas around the tree. Ran nicely till a young friend shorted out the train across the tracks and burnt up the rectifier. This is a No. 15 Directronic Rectifier with a stack of heat sinks, washers and contacts. The rectifier seems to have both shorts and open legs now. It looks like the paint might have offered a controlled resistance but for the life of me I can't figure the circuit out. Are you familiar with this design? I can send pictures if that would help. Also, I had trouble posting this to the forum on Trains.com so I hope you don't mind the direct E-mail. Thanks..."

I replied:

"If you want to send me pictures, you can do it by e-mail or to .... A schematic would be best if you have one. As near as I can tell, this is just a bridge rectifier and a polarity-reversing switch. The selenium rectifier should be easy to replace with a modern silicon rectifier."

Here are some recommendations for a replacement bridge rectifier, if that is indeed what is bad, all from Radio Shack:

276-1185 25 A, 200 V or 50 V (The listing contradicts itself; but 50 is plenty.) $3.29
276-1181 6 A, 200 V $2.59
276-1173 4 A, 400 V $2.49
276-1146 4 A, 50 V $1.99

[tsgtbob]

[:D]
I have one of these, and she be shot too [:(]
Now, can I put the new FWBR under the base of this, or does it need to be visable?

[wrmcclellan]

Hadn't heard of one of these in quite a few years.

Here is one on the 'BAy

http://cgi.ebay.ca/AF-15-DIRECTRONIC-RECTIFIER-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ6031524914QQcategoryZ480QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[wrmcclellan]

tsgtbob,

You could put it under the base to preserve the classic look of the #15. Connect the AC terminals (I recommend the 25 amp bridge) of the bridge to the AC (transformer posts) and the DC out of the bridge to the center terminals of the DPDT switch (common for the DPDT switch) on the #15.

Look at the E-Bay photos. The yellow wires are the AC input to the bridge and the red wires are the DC output of the bridge.