Yes, I am one in the same. Thank you for this info. I did find a wiring diagram but not the info for the capacitor. Now you have given me that info, I can wire the speaker and capacitor the right way. Thanks again very much.
Irontooth.
P.S. I was very surprised that CTT printed my question
We've received a few e-mails about this and I've passed them along to Joe.
Bob Keller
Irontooth, are you perhaps the Michael Klein who has the same question published on page 25 of the October CTT? The answer in the magazine, "a 3-MFD or 5-MFD wired in parallel with the speaker", is wrong. The capacitance is 100 microfarads, non-polarized, wired in series with the speaker.
The magazine's answer actually contradicts itself, first saying that the connection is parallel, then describing a series connection. The capacitance value is also much too low; and there is no warning that the capacitor should not be polarized.
The speaker (XA11B831) has an impedance of 3.2 ohms, so using 3 microfarads would block frequencies below about 16.5 kilohertz, much too high for a whistle, or most sounds of any kind. The correct value of 100 microfarads blocks frequencies below about 500 hertz, which allows much of the audible spectrum through, but not the 60 hertz of the track voltage, which is the purpose of the capacitor.
Bob Nelson
no sweat!
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
missed that sorry
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
please take no offense, that's a line from the Disney movie Toy Story I use as my signature. kind of a poke at the guys that buy the high priced trains and never take them off the shelf.
I know it is a toy ,a plaything but it is my toy and it needs some TLC and I was looking for help.
love to see pics of your project.
Thank you for the info, I will ferret it out
Irontooth
It's a 100-microfarad non-polarized electrolytic, American Flyer part number PA12N820, with a minimum voltage rating of perhaps 25 volts. Capacitors like this are commonly used in loudspeaker crossover networks.
Larry, the capacitor at that site might work; but their part number doesn't match the parts list for the 316. The 315 has a different speaker network, using a resistor (PA11685) and a capacitor (PA11A991).
The capacitor and the speaker are wired in series. That series string is wired across the track voltage.
Can't help with the actual wiring, but the condenser (part #66 in parts list) is available here, along with an exploded parts view
Larry.
I am restoring an AF 316 K5 steam locomotive and need help with the correct wiring of the speaker and the capacitor,both are missing. I have an original speaker but not the capacitor (what size)?
Thank You
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