What things do you have, other than the train, that are powered from the track, like the lamps in the turnouts or any accessories? Is the power supply connected to the track when you measure the power supply's voltage? What gauge and length of wire are you using between the power supply (it's not strictly a transformer) and the track?
Bob Nelson
Yes that is the circut i will use. I had this train when i was a kid and putting it back together for my son and want no problems for him.
Another thing i noticed is i loose somewhere between 3 and 4 volts from the transformer in the track and that is with no trains running or on the track. Is that because of the switches and is there anything i can do to alleviate that? WHen i finally get all my switches to constant voltage will that correct my voltage drop? Sometimes and it dont matter where on the track the train will just slow down and then speed up, track is clean and engine is clean, trains wheels are clean and motor was cleaned and oiled with electrical lubricant.
Should i run a bus wire under the table and atttach jumpers to the track? Would that fix it or is it time for a new motor or new transformer?
Sorry for not repling sooner, with my job i dont always get a chance to get on.
I'm guessing that you're looking at the capacitive-discharge circuit that I have often described on the forum. It doesn't matter how you power the track, AC (of any frequency or waveform) or DC (of either polarity).
However, it is important that the capacitor circuit be powered from DC whose polarity matches the capacitor's polarity. One easy way to do this is to develop the needed DC from a fixed AC accessory voltage with a single-diode rectifier and an (optional) filter capacitor. Some DC "power-packs" include an AC output that you could use for this.
Yes currently when i tested them they do work with the reverse. But if i go to the constant voltage with the capacitors i dont know if they will. but that is not a problem as the only ones that will be used in reverse are the manual ones to the sidings.
BigAl 956 jeffbuel Since the capacitors negative leg is connected to the ground rail, will the reverse mode when applied send voltage back into the capacitor and explode it? Capacitor? There is no capacitor in a standard 1122 switch. Just a pair of coils that will operate on AC or DC.
jeffbuel Since the capacitors negative leg is connected to the ground rail, will the reverse mode when applied send voltage back into the capacitor and explode it?
Capacitor? There is no capacitor in a standard 1122 switch. Just a pair of coils that will operate on AC or DC.
There is a sizeable capacitor in the DC constant voltage modification circuit he has researched here on the forum.
Rob
TrainLarryDepending on the setting of your DC power pack, the 1122 switches may work in reverse with respect to their controllers.
No way. The only way 1122 switches might work in reverse with respect to their controllers is if the two wires to the outside(non-common) binding posts are switched. AC or DC, it doesn't matter.
jeffbuelSince the capacitors negative leg is connected to the ground rail, will the reverse mode when applied send voltage back into the capacitor and explode it?
Depending on the setting of your DC power pack, the 1122 switches may work in reverse with respect to their controllers. The polarity of the rails of the switches is irrelevant, and does not affect the operation of the switches.
What capacitor are you talking about, and where is it located? Reversing the DC polarity on a polarized capacitor will just block the flow of current in that direction but will not harm it.
Larry
Switch to AC on the track with a conventional transformer, install a 103-1 type reverse unit in your loco for full F-N-R operation.
Was referred here in hopse someone can answer this:
started building my layout and i have an old dc train set with the out of the box transformer with forward and reverse (move throttle to right train goes forward, to the left backwards). I have some old 1122 switches that i was going to modify and make constant voltage but after research here on this site i am not sure it will work with the reverse option on my transformer. When placed in reverse the outside rail become positive and middle rail is now negative.
Since the capacitors negative leg is connected to the ground rail, will the reverse mode when applied send voltage back into the capacitor and explode it?
If so what is a possible work around?
Jeff
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