wiring transformers/ making PC boards

[Anonymous]

i've got the radio shack transformer. 3 wires out of 1 side, 2 out the other. i'm going to use it to power up lights and accesories-so I don't draw down power to trains from throttle. where can i learn how to hook this up????? I also want to learn how to make my own pc boards, lighting,etc. any good web sites out there?

[rrinker]

Rob Paisley has a good intro to electronics on his site: http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Basics/BasicIndex.html

He also has plenty of circuit designs for model railroad and other uses, including power supplies.

--Randy

[mcouvillion]

skmoe53,

You'll need to know what the transformer is rated for and what voltage you need to determine which wires to use. The wire pair is probably the primary side, which would connect to 110V. One wire to hot (black), the other to neutral (white), and ground the case of the transformer with the green wire from your plug. For the three wires on the secondary side, the middle wire is probably the center tap, which enables you to tap a mid-point voltage from one end or the other of the secondary wires. The end wires on the secondary should give you the maximum stepped-down voltage. One end wire to the center tap should give you the minimum stepped-down voltage. You'll need to make sure that you don't draw too much current in either the primary or secondary circuit.

Make sure that you place a fuse in the power wire to the primary (black wire) and use a three-prong plug. Insulate all connections and remove all tools before testing the circuit. Test with a voltmeter before putting a load on the secondary circuit(s).

Be very careful and you should be all right.

Mark C.

[grayfox1119]

Very good advice Mark and Randy.

[Bob Hayes]

Check out www.mgchemicals.com Their web site has a tutioral on making pc boards, and of course they make the things you will need. I've been happy with their products which you can get from Digikey, Mouser, Fry's, etc.
Bob Hayes

[cacole]

Another thing you can do in most cases is to type the model number of that transformer into the search phrase of Google and it will tell you the output voltage, input voltage, and give you a schematic of that transformer.

[Anonymous]

is it posible to controll my layout from the web? meaning if i have web cams around my layout can i log on and controll it from any were thow the web? if any one knows how or what company is should go to please getback to me on here or direct at [e-mail]

[bcammack]

That's a "center tap" transformer. If you tap off the outside legs of the three, you'll get twice the voltage you'd get if you went from the center to on outside leg.

Easiest thing to do is to just go here:
http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/AC_Wall_Transformers.html

and buy yourself a nice, UL-approved AC wall wart of the appropriate voltage and current rating. They've got a 15 Volt, 2.4 Amp AC transformer there for $4.25. There's a whole 'nother page of DC wall warts, too. Great assortment of LEDs and switches, here.

[trollw]

You are asking the questions here - a very good start. However, PLEASE try to find someone with good electrical knowledge that you can work one-on-one with (in person) to help you through the early basics. 115 VAC (house power) is VERY nasty and doing something wrong can result in death or fires. As an electrical engineer with over 35 years experience designing, building, and troubleshooting high power radar systems, I can attest to the fact that EVERYONE makes mistakes. The ones who live through it are the ones who respect what they are doing and become knowledgeable enough to minimize the risk. I remember designing a 4000 volt DC power supply for a radar monitor -- Hmmm, DC, just like a battery -- it's not AC so no problem if I touch it -- wroooonnngg. A 4000 VDC power supply has enough ripple on it that it HURTS -- needless to say it didn't kill me but the three feet that I jumped when it hit me didn't do me a lot of good. ANYTHING that is AC is a hurt waiting to happen. Please respect it and get some help in wiring up a transformer that will plug in to the wall.

John