Trains.com

A second cab?

2942 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
A second cab?
Posted by stuartmit on Thursday, February 8, 2024 4:01 PM

I would like a second spot on a traditional wired layout from which to run the trains on a round the loop basis--nothing but watching.  With speed control and a very few of the switches, perhaps 4 of my 22. The switches are easy--just a second set of 022C controllers in parallel with the original. 

can I install a dpdt center off switch to select between the output of two RW's to supply center rail power to a series of block on off toggles?   I would connect the grounding U terminals with other existing transformers, and  match phasing of the need RW's With old.
Other transformers in the system handle constant voltage plugs for switches, and relays to turn Control blocks of track on and off. 

does this sound workauble?

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,213 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:21 PM

You only need a SPDT switch to select RW 1 "U" post or RW 2 "U" post.

This is not a misprint or typo... the "U" post on RW transformers go to the center rail connections - Lockon clips #1.  "U" has the direction & whisltle controls on it. The "A" posts on the RW transformers are, like all single throttle transformers, the common posts and should be phased with other "A" posts of single throttle transformers and "U" posts of multiple throttle transformers on the same layout.

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Friday, February 9, 2024 5:56 AM

Can you use combination AC on one block and BF on the other? I would like 24volts of AC on a climb, but lower voltage from BF on other sections. 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,213 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, February 9, 2024 5:59 AM

stuartmit
Can you use combination AC on one block and BF on the other?

There is no "F" post on a RW.

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Friday, February 9, 2024 9:34 AM

I have found following re variable voltage controls on type R

Right Knob   AC   14 to 24V

                   BC   6 to 16V

 

Left Knob     AF    14 to 24V

                   BF     6 to 16V

 

I deduce from this that the common for use with the right knob is terminal C, and with the left knob is F. 

I have two blocks in which I want to control  voltage separately and one to have a higher voltage than the other. what woukd be result  if connect runng rails to terminal C, and A to center rail in one block, and B (which is not shown in a pairing  with C at all)  to the other.  The two blocks comprise a closed circular route. 

will that set up work and will it have circuit breaker protection? 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,213 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, February 9, 2024 12:05 PM

stuartmit
I have found following re variable voltage controls on type R

Well now you have gone & switched transformers on us.

The Type R is a prewar carry-over and is rather unique, and defies the convention... "A" is common, or alternately "B" for lower adjustable voltage, despite being a two-throttle design.

Transformer Chart HERE.


Rob

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Friday, February 9, 2024 3:40 PM

Haven't read your comments yet. But First off, all apologies!  I started off on one idea, installing 2 RW's as a second cab with a toggle to select which pair of transformers to use, and then in my thoughts, I came up with the scheme of using 1 R with its two throttles for the section of the layout with uphill and downhill trackage. As well as an RW. 

now I read yr comment with thanks. 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Monday, February 12, 2024 8:56 AM

If I have an oval with a portion going up and another going down, if I separate the different stretches into electrically seperate blocks, Can I use throttle with terminals A and C on one block of a loop? And B and F on an adjoining block?  

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,213 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Monday, February 12, 2024 10:00 AM

Don't mix A & B on a common ground layout as there is a 8 volt difference/potential between them.

If you want to set the up slopes and down slopes at different vlotages, use A-F for the up slope and adjust the left knob for this section, and use A-C for the down slope ajusting the right knob for that section, using "A" as common on the layout.

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 445 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Friday, February 16, 2024 9:34 AM

When you see a photo of a large layout with 4 zw's as power, are they all plugged into one surge strip? 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,213 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, February 16, 2024 6:00 PM

Not necessarily  a surge strip, but plugged into something that keeps them in phase during power-downs. I use dedicated steel housing 15 amp mounted power strip with a master rocker switch.

Rob

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month