American Flyer S gauge AC or DC

[richhotrain]

azflyer

I just completed my first can-motor conversion on American Flyer 4-4-2 #300.

I was very pleased with the preformance of the can-motor and electronic "E" unit.

The 4-4-2 can-motor ran at a "snail pace" with my ZW tranformer set at 6 volts.

The "E" unit didn't miss a beat any place on my layout.

I'm ready to do my next conversion. Has anyone else every done any other conversions running a can- motor on AC with a Dallee "E" unit. I would like to here the Pros & Cons on your conversions of American Flyer with can-motors.

http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/p/can-motor-conversion.html

Have a GREAT NEW YEAR,

AZ-Flyer

AZ,

Last year, I scrapped the open frame motor and the original reversing unit on my AF Baldwin Diesel #355 and replaced it with a can motor and Dallee Electronic Reversing Unit.  I am pleased with the results.

I have not done a full conversion on my AF #312 Steam engine, although I did replace the original reversing unit with a Dallee Electronic Reversing Unit.  I have not replaced the vintage open frame motor with a can motor, but my understanding is that a 1/2 speed can motor will result in better smoke production than a full speed can motor.

Here is an interesting discussion on the issue:

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/183434.aspx

Rich

[azflyer]

I just completed my first can-motor conversion on American Flyer 4-4-2 #300.

I was very pleased with the preformance of the can-motor and electronic "E" unit.

The 4-4-2 can-motor ran at a "snail pace" with my ZW tranformer set at 6 volts.

The "E" unit didn't miss a beat any place on my layout.

I'm ready to do my next conversion. Has anyone else every done any other conversions running a can- motor on AC with a Dallee "E" unit. I would like to here the Pros & Cons on your conversions of American Flyer with can-motors.

http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/p/can-motor-conversion.html

Have a GREAT NEW YEAR,

AZ-Flyer

[Major]

The open frame motors draw more current the the can motors. I do not know if the DCC boards are designed to handle the higher amperes. You would still require a bridge rectifier across the field.  For Flyer steam locomotives the can motor conversion does not alter the original locomotive in any way and takes only minutes to do with a screw driver and a soldering iron.  The can motor screws right onto the frame in the same holes the Flyer motor was attached to.  They also provide smoother operation.

[richhotrain]

Thanks, Major.

Let me clarify my question by the way.

Can a vintage open frame American Flyer AC motor be retained and still convert the loco to DCC?

Rich

[Major]

A lot of individuals have done that.  I have a couple that I converted to DC power by installing a bridge rectifier accross the field windings.  One was a 0-6-0 docksider and the other a 0-6-0 switch engine.  Both had the two position reverse unit and with the 0-6-0 switch engine it protruded out ot the back of the cab.  Carl Tuveson has converted his equipment  including Flyer S-Helper and American Models to TMCC.  There are replacement can motors for Flyer locomotives and the steam conversions are very easy to do.. So installing DCC should not be that much of a challenge.  I know S-Helper has Tusami DCC in some of their locomotives.

[richhotrain]

Given that American Flyer trains can be run in either AC or DC, that prompts a question that I have wondered about for a long time.

I have two layouts.

One is a large DCC-powered HO scale layout, and the other is a smaller AC-powered S gauge layout with two separate tracks, each powered by its own transformer, to run my two old American Flyer trains.

What is the possibility of converting older American Flyer trains, or Lionel trains for that matter, to DCC?

Rich

[lionelsoni]

The "AC" locomotives have universal motors, that should work on either AC or DC.  They are reversed by interrupting the track voltage to step a "remote-control unit" (E-unit in Lionel-speak) in the locomotive or tender.  The "DC" locomotives have permanent-magnet fields and will run only on DC.  They are reversed by reversing the track-voltage polarity.

[cjhobby]

I'm new to American Flyer collecting & operating!! I see that American flyer made both AC & DC post war  locos. What is the best way to go and what about the newer equipment. Were these universal engines that could work either way except for reversing, etc? Can you help?

Thanks cjhobby