For the application you mentioned I would use a seperate power pack from an HO train set and run wires to the turnouts through a simple switchboard of momentary contact switches. The swithcboard can be made from just about anything, but if you can find a plastic box it would be a simple matter to run the wire from the power supply into the box, drill for the momentary contact switches, and have all your wire tidy away inside the box. I would use 3gang wire available in any hobby shop to hook it all up with. Keep safety in mind at all times and ensure the wiring is securely fastened to the floor or by any means that prevents somebody from tripping over it. Ensure you have clear access to the plug and avoid water if you are using a live tree.
Sounds like a cool thing. I usualy put my Lionel under the tree, loads of fun with 5 cats!
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I do not use these types of points you talk of but i can tell you the power supply requirement would be dependant on the points themselves and i would suggest that the manufacturer will tell you what they need.
Ian
I have 8 sets of points in my railway, they are all electrically operated and are LGB 16000 series, as well i have two sets that have two sets of points running in parrallel and they all work off 21 V AC just fine.
All this talk about power supply, voltage, wattage, wires, christmas trees and now CATS!
I was wondering if it is safe to handle the track once the power is turned on? Any danger of shock? You can see I really don't know too much about electric trains.
That brings to the garden RR outside in the elements. Once the track is in and the power source hooked up, is it safe to touch while the train is running? What happens if garden debris falls on the track while the power is turned on?
Please just bear with me, I'm just learning you know.................
Good questions SRS 4501. "toy" train track power is quite safe, it may jingle your fingertips a little, but that's about all it will do. In G gauge we are looking at about 18-21 volts (max) anywhere from 3-20 amps, depending on the power supply you are using. The monster layouts I've seen will "bite" you if you touch the rails when they are live, but it's far from being a danger. The danger is in the transformer which uses household current and steps it down to a safe level at the tracks. Use normal electrical appliance precautions when dealing with the power transformers, but don't worry about the track.
There is little danger from debris vs. track power. At worst the debris will cause the built in safety cut off in the power supply to trip. All these problems have been addressed by the manufacturer (and in the US also by the Underwriter Labs) so you may have a worry free, safe and enjoyable model train experience.
Many thanks tangerine-jack.
SRS mate where did the CATs come from.
Regards ian
"iandor" - See Tangerine Jack's post dated 11/23 in this thread.
Regards.,
Even though Jack and i are mates i don't read all of his stuff unless i amreally interested in it; I only do this is self defence as he does the same to me.
About power supplies being safe. If you run DCC as i do you can actually feel it as it has full voltage across the rails all the time.But it is not really unsafe at all particularly in USA where you only have 115 V 60 Z which is prett safe anyway and even then you would have to have something wrong with your power supply for this to matter.
Rgds ian
"inador" Not a problem. Somewhere in some other post I asked you if you ever went to Australia Zoo and did you ever see Steve Erwin? Just curious as I'm sure some of us others may be as well.
Gouday to you Mate..................
Thats a good question mate. Yes i hahve been to Asustralia Zoo; i can drive there in about 30 minutes. As i get visits from several of my eleven grandchildren, i have been there several times. Only once was Steve there and that was the last time. But Terri has been there and so has Bindi a few times.
We are all sorry to lose Steve, as he did the Sunshine Coast more good in unexpected ways than you can imagine.
Steve's death was a sad event. Not only did us poor humans loose a great man but the animals he championed lost even more.
Ian, would love to see some pictures of your layout. Anyway you can arrange that?
Thanks.
enemec1 wrote:What is the best way to get a power supplie to my turnouts 3 of them. I am new and looking to creat a set up under my tree for christmass. dose radio shack have anything cheap? I have the Bachman remote switches.
Radio Shack is bound to have something for under $5.00.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
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