DIY power pack plans-- NOT DCC.

[Anonymous]

This is my first post, so please forgive if this has been addressed already.
Can anyone recommend a source for plans on making my own power pack/throttle for my new pike? I have no interest in DCC, but instead want to buy Radio Shack parts for a simple pure DC unit.
Many years ago, I seem to recall that MR and the other magazines used to feature such schematics, but I cannot locate these plans.
TIA,
Larry

[bcammack]

www.awrr.com has great stuff like that. Radio Shack part numbers and everything.

[cwclark]

there is a publication called Electronic Projects for Model Railroaders from Kalmbach publications that has plans for a power pack... I like to do electronics also, but some of the projects will cost more to build than to just buy one already manufactured...a power pack is such an item...the only things i build are things like train detection circuits, crossing flasher circuits, and small voltage lighting circuits...these are relatively inexpensive and can be built with generic circuit boards...to build a throttle you will need to custom build your circuit board by an acid etching technique which is very tedious and time consuming and then they require a lot of parts after the board is built...you are probably better off purchasing one already made (with a warrenty i might add)...instead of building them...I use MRC Tech 4 260 models..they run about $55-$60 and they have features like momentum and braking...very good power pack for the money...and a lot cheaper than scratch building one...Chuck[:D]

[cacole]

Several years ago, Mainline Modeler magazine had a DIY series on a system called the Cooler Crawler developed by Rich Weyand, Bill Pistello and Bill Reid. Rich Weyand marketed it under the brand name TracTronics, and you should still be able to download the schematics and assembly instructions from his Web site. He also offered printed circuit boards. I built this system for the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club on perfboard and it has performed very well. If their Web site is still available, it should be at http://www.tractronics.com