Is the best way to weather aluminum rail with the Micro Engineering Rail Weathering Solution?
Also, could you run 5 volts through aluminum rail without trouble?
1: you could paint the sides alot cheaper
2. Alm rail would be fine with only 5 amps. it would handel more.
DAve
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
He said 5 volts, not amps, so I wonder what the application is.
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity, better than copper... BUT oxidizes very easily, so connections need special care to stay conductive.
Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
The 5 volts are for a block detection system...Also the aluminum rail would be inside.
Another question: could you make an electromagnet with white metal?
The problem in powered rails is voltage drop.
The amount of voltage "lost" is related to resistance in rail connections AND the amount of current drawn.
I would suppose that your block detection system would be modern, then it would not draw a lot of current. Thus, it should be no problem, i.e. not having problems with significant voltage loss/drop.
Sure you could make an electromagnet with non-ferrous metals, takes liquid nitrogen, to supercool the metal and help make superconducting situation.
In practical terms though, you can't make electromagnets with anything else than a coil of wire, lots of windings. The magnetism comes from the magnetic field created by electrons flowing through the wire.
You "amplify" the effect by making more windings and/or adding ferrous metal to concentrate the magnetic lines of flux. Using white metal would do nothing, since it is non-ferrous.
Regards, Greg
I just use camo flat brown spray paint, seems to be holding up fine.
Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?
Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.
Aluminum is not quite as good a conductor, of electricity, as copper. 12 gauge copper wire is rated to carry 30 amps. 12 gauge aluminum wire is rated to carry 25 amps under the same conditions.
There is a paste coating electricians use when joining copper and aluminum wire to eliminate/minimize oxidation at the join. I don't know what it is called. Ask an electrician or a hardware store that sells (house) wiring supplies.
Greg Elmassian I would suppose that your block detection system would be modern, then it would not draw a lot of current. Thus, it should be no problem, i.e. not having problems with significant voltage loss/drop. Regards, Greg
Speaking of block detection systems - can you recommend some DIY schemes that will work with DC track power?
My bad, aluminum is only about 60% as conductive as copper... thermally and electrically. mia culpa!
Simple block detection systems can detect resistance between the rails, like a light or resistor, then you measure the current in that block or section of track to detect. You have to have a small current flowing.
You can also use optical sensors.
Really depends on how many sensors, your budget, and if you have the desire to have "Conductive cars" and what you are really trying to sense.
You might want to start a whole new thread on the subject, with what you want to accomplish, and we can leave this thread "on topic".
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month