Well it certainly does sound interesting, I'll say that much. I think I'll wait until it shows up at the LHS and ask them about the "whys and wherefores" before I try it.
Good viewpoints, all. With the interest generating from this new razzle-dazzle track, probably more people will want to know its limitations.
BanksLEDs can operate on AC.
I don't know, I'm not trying to start an argument here but in my 30 years of working on copiers every LED I've encountered was part of a DC circuit. (24 volts DC max.) I've never seen otherwise, and the LED light strings I put up a Christmas have a rectifier to do the AC/DC conversion.
It's probably best to ask Lionel about this or the folks at Nicholas Smith. I haven't seen that trackage yet so I can't speak from experience.
PS: I just saw Bob's post. Interesting. 3.5 volts isn't a lot to work with.
An LED will work on AC, but the peak voltage must not exceed the LED's specified maximum reverse voltage. But the typical 5-volt specification limits the safe RMS AC voltage to 3.5 volts.
There are several workarounds: An ordinary diode can be put in series with the LED, or in anti-parallel, with a suitably power-rated ballast resistor. A complete bridge rectifier can also be used, or the LEDs themselves can be wired in anti-parallel pairs, each one of a pair protecting the other from excessive reverse voltage.
Bob Nelson
I'm reasonably sure Lionel has the circuit built for it to operate on AC. LEDs can operate on AC. The diode allows current to flow only one way.
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
the store I do repairs for, Nicholas Trains in Bromall PA, has put 5 of these in their layout. The Layout is powered by the big ZW electronic unit with meters. As far as I know, the setup works with the remotes with no problems. there seems to be none of those cheap wall units . I would suggest checking with Lionel to see if you can use them on a AC layout
You're welcome!
Thanks for the quick reply, Flint.
Well, if it's LED's then it's certainly DC power only, AC's going to blow those LED's in a heartbeat.
When I thought the trainboard under the Christmas tree needed a little something extra I bought a candy-cane striped "light rope," you know, the things people put on railings? Looks darn good around the train board and lights up the train on the outside loop as well.
In reference to LIONEL's new LED lighted FasTrack...
I'm assuming it optimum working power is at 18 Volts. However, has anyone tried it with conventional power packs?
The wife would like a circle for our North Pole layout next year, but I'm not wanting to puchase a Lion Chief type engine, nor set 2123090. I like to run our Gingerbread set at a slow crawl, and I also don't want to "overcook" the Gingerbread men.
What say you?
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