Does any one have experience of converting the UK 50Hz supply to 60Hz? I have run a small layout just using a USA to UK transformer for a couple of years now with no problems - the TMCC has worked perfectly.
However, I am now planning a much larger layout and I'm concerned over the stories of overheating and sometimes melt down of equipment left on the 50Hz supply. I must mention that I am no electronics expert and mention of a specific item to buy rather than the lots of technical specs would be most appreciated.
The TMCC Command Base uses very litle power to generate the command carrier signal. Do you need to just control command locos or are you trying to use additional TMCC devices (PowerMasters, TPC's)?
I suspect that the safest way to handle this is to use a large battery based power inverter that takes 12 V DC and converts it back into 60 hz AC. They sell some heavy duty units here in the states for use with camping/rv's that hook directly to the battery ciruit. You would also need to set up a 50hz ac charger to charge the batteres off of house current. This is expensive, heavy, and complicated, but it should work.
Buy a US spec computer UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply. Everything in one cabinet including outlets. Just be sure to get one large enough to run the primaries of your power supplies and you are good to go.
Rob
chuck wrote: The TMCC Command Base uses very litle power to generate the command carrier signal. Do you need to just control command locos or are you trying to use additional TMCC devices (PowerMasters, TPC's)? I suspect that the safest way to handle this is to use a large battery based power inverter that takes 12 V DC and converts it back into 60 hz AC. They sell some heavy duty units here in the states for use with camping/rv's that hook directly to the battery ciruit. You would also need to set up a 50hz ac charger to charge the batteres off of house current. This is expensive, heavy, and complicated, but it should work.
What chuck suggests would work well far as I know, it might be expensive but it is probally the best way to step/up the cycles in A.C, I am a Resenditial & Light Industrial electrician.
What Rob suggested is missing the 50 cycles to 60 cycles step/up factor but will supply some circuit protection.
Voltage step/up or step/down can be done with just a transformer, frequency step/up or step/down is a more complicated matter.
Anyway Lionel basically sells stuff to be used in the United States and overlooks or forgets about the European market.
Lee F.
What Rob suggested is missing the 50 cycles to 60 cycles step/up factor but will supply some circuit protection.Lee F.
You would need to use a larger UPS with full US spec output line conditioning. Many are "synchronous to mains" - these wouldn't do the job.
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John Bakeer and NicktoNick both from across the pond have worked on this. They should be able to give the fix. There is a Lionel Club in the UK, you may look them up on line and see if they have the fix posted.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Thanks guys, I've been through the "pot" and found the following, hope Nick doesn't mind me quoting here, I new someone would have the answer this is just what I was looking for - also contacted the Lionel UK club - my cheques in the post for membership!
From Nick:
"Basicly the equipment above does the following: 230V 50Hz AC to 12V DC-----12V DC to 110V 60Hz AC.
Check the following links
http://www.invertersrus.com/inv300ps.html The 300W Inverter
http://www.amperordirect.co.uk/products/300W-12v_Power_Supply.asp The 25 Amp 12V DC Supply
Contact Lionel for a new CW-80 they should send you a new one. Then Only operate the replacement from a 60Hz power source.
As I said the whistle in the tender may have been damaged but get the power problem sorted first. Then if the whistle still does not work contact Lionel for a new circuit board and whistle motor.
You are not alone with this problem. I have met lots of people online from as far a field as South Africa and Australia with the same frequency problems.
Hope this helps you get your trains running.
Nick
P.S. A Lionel dealer in Germany has a small 150 watt inverter set up that will run a CW80.
https://shop.strato.de/epages/Store.sf/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61036981 "
If you are going to use the battery conversion method be sure to get a battery with enough cold cranking amps like a Marine battery group 27M(U.S. specs for a battery), don't know the European battery groups. A marine battery would work great because it can be charged and discharged without hurting the battery, an automotive battery is meant to be charged constantly and don't like to be run down much as the cells in the battery are differant than in a marine battery.
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