Orginal American Flier "S" was mainly A.C. They did sell some that was D.C. They sold a rectifier so that the D.C. engines could run on A.C..
All the A.F. had a reversing unit in the tender.
I do not know what Linel did when they produced A.F. I think they made them just like the original.
AGAIN YOU AN RUN A.C. ENGINES ON D.C.. YOU CAN NOT RUN D.C. ENGINES ON A.C.
vsmith American Flyers are two rail AC but can be converted to two rail DC by modifying the electronics, the problem is that I dont think you can reverse the situation and go from DC to AC without changing the motors. This is because Large Scale uses decidedly LOW VOLTAGE in the motors, only 12V-18V DC, where being outdoors means limiting the voltage so you dont risk frying the family or pets in wet weather. O and S never had those constrictions so they run much higher voltages, I do know people who under the right circumstances who have recieved shocks from there 3 rail tracks! Marklin motors are the same on AC or DC and use a fancy electronic circuitry panel to control the voltage in each phase. I cant speak for MTH but I beleive they are also set for either AC or DC operation but in DC I dont beleive you can use their control system.
American Flyers are two rail AC but can be converted to two rail DC by modifying the electronics, the problem is that I dont think you can reverse the situation and go from DC to AC without changing the motors. This is because Large Scale uses decidedly LOW VOLTAGE in the motors, only 12V-18V DC, where being outdoors means limiting the voltage so you dont risk frying the family or pets in wet weather. O and S never had those constrictions so they run much higher voltages, I do know people who under the right circumstances who have recieved shocks from there 3 rail tracks! Marklin motors are the same on AC or DC and use a fancy electronic circuitry panel to control the voltage in each phase.
I cant speak for MTH but I beleive they are also set for either AC or DC operation but in DC I dont beleive you can use their control system.
I collect "O Gauge, I run "G Gauge", my advice, run your Garden Railroad on "DC", it works with all of the makes, less chance of an expensive problem or mistake.
MTH Locomotives can run on Conventional (analog) control or the DCS Command System. The MTH DCS system is a "DC" system, boards and motor. When used on "AC" the input is rectified to "DC", when run on "DC" the voltage and control signal is just passed through. I have and run 10 MTH "G Gauge" locomotives, I have converted the electronics (with the MTH/DCS upgrade kit) on 5 Aristo-Craft locomotives to DCS control and sound.
ALL DCS FEATURES AND SOUNDS OPERATE WHEN RUNNING ON DC POWER, ALL.
My system uses the Aristo-Craft Elite Power Supply which delivers 22 Volts DC at 13 Amps. It feeds through an external mounted, automotive type, fast blow, 10 amp fuse to the MTH/TIU (Track Interface Unit) Fixed Input #1. Fixed DCS Output #1 is wired directly to the track, and we are readdy to run in DCS Command mode. Yes, MTH locomotives will also run on "AC" which is the "O Gauge" normal but just as good on "DC".
Also, I have 3 Aristo-Craft locomotives running on there Onboard Train Engineer which will operate on the same track at the same time as the MTH/DCS locomotives. (MTH signals through the track, Aristo TE radios the command)
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Have fun with your trains
OK TJ, one of us being a smart alek is enough, no dog piling allowed. Had not heard from you for so long I thought you had fallen off the edge of the earth.
Tom Trigg
Thanks for the info.
Don't believe everything you think!
Ill bet he went the rectifier/capacitor route on that. No one else in our club understands his layout. We go there to help him get his trains running, and about all we are good for is checking track and ballasting. He always waits until the day before his open house to ask for help too.
Paul
You can run a A/C motor on D/C. You can not run a D/C motor on A/C.
MTH runs their engines through a control electronics. They will run on D/C but a lot of features will not be available.
Camaro1967 We have a member of our train club who apparently has his Bachman locos running on AC. Every time something goes wrong he asks for help, and no one can figure out what is going on. No one know how he does it, but he is running on AC. Paul
We have a member of our train club who apparently has his Bachman locos running on AC. Every time something goes wrong he asks for help, and no one can figure out what is going on. No one know how he does it, but he is running on AC.
The most likely explanation is that he changed the motors to ones that run on AC or he has added rectifiers and capacitors to convert the AC to DC.
I have a smoke refill kit for wiring that I got when I rebuilt my Triumph. It is important to smoke check all wiring to ensure there are no leaks and applying AC power to DC motors is an excellent method of doing this. Once the testing is completed and smoke leaks are noted, repairs can be made at all seams and openings where the leaking smoke was detected. If you have a Lucas built electrical component, then some smoke leakage is normal and many Lucas electrical systems are supplied with a smoke reservoir for this purpose and periodic refilling with quality British manufacture smoke is part of normal owner maintenance. This is not to be mistaken for Japanese or US made components where even the smallest amount of smoke leakage is considered a problem and no provision is made for smoke refill quick connects and refilling the smoke in a leaking wire is an involved job best left to a professional.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
flatbed Can anyone tell me if the I can run my Aristo Loco on AC. I'm running a MTH TIU And would like to run on AC. I'm new to this. Thanks
Can anyone tell me if the I can run my Aristo Loco on AC. I'm running a MTH TIU And would like to run on AC. I'm new to this.
Thanks
You most certainly can give it a try if you like. Just a few precautionary steps first. #1 you will let ALL the smoke excape from the windings of the engine and the wiring throughout your house possible. Once the smoke is released from a wire it cannot be put back in. #2 ensure that all children and any feeble adults are out shopping at the mall first. #3 have you wife set 9-1-1 on speed dial on her cell phone. She’s going to need it, as the house phone probably will no longer be available. #4 Ensure that your home fire insurance is paid up and active. OK, enough of the sarcasm, the short answer is NO.
Hi The answer is no ALL loco motors are DC if you put AC on power you will damage the motor. DC is alot safer
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
Nope.
Later,
K
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