16V AC Power Supply? On-Off Switch?

[Mattypark]

Hello All,

I love the hobby, but am the farthest from an electrician as can be - please help as I am so confused!

I am working on a European kit whose directions call for connection to a "16 VAC POWER SOURCE ONLY. Current/power input at 16 VAC"  I looked on the back of my Bachmann transformer and notice I have connections to AC and DC as follows:

INPUT: 120V AC 60HZ / OUTPUT: 15V DC 18V AC TOTAL - 10VA

Would this be OK to use, or do you know of where I could find a 16V AC Power Supply? 

Also, according the the electrical schematic, it appears I need some sort of ON-OFF switch that will connect to a control box provided by the kit manufacturer.  Any suggestions on what is good to use? 

Thanks in advance for any help! 

[cacole]

What do you mean by "European Kit?"   A European locomotive in kit form?  Perhaps you have a locomotive that runs on 3 rail AC power (Marklin) instead of the U.S. 12 Volt DC standard.  If so, you cannot use the Bachmann transformer you have.

We can't really help with such a vague description of what you have.  Please provide a more descriptive identification of the manufacturer, model number, whether it's a locomotive or something else, etc.

If it's some type of powered or illuminated accessory such as a building or some such, the Bachmann transformer can be used; but not to run an AC locomotive.

 

[selector]

Just so that there is no confusion or misunderstanding, the total AC power output of the transformer you have is lots to run the train set you have, but it cannot be manipulated like the DC power that comes out of the DC terminals on your power pack.  Your power pack is designed to run DC trains, but only via the outputs for DC, and only because you can control the voltage from those terminals with the rotary knob...thus speeding and slowing the DC motor in DC engines.  Your rotary knob does not regulate the AC ouput...the AC is all or nothing and is meant to power AC accessories.  Your power pack was never meant to power AC engines such as the one you are talking about.

If yours is an AC motor, you could technically run it via the AC outputs, but it will want to go full blast immediately and you will only be able to control it by cutting off power.  You'll have two speeds...stop and crash.  At least, that is what I can picture.

You will need a specific power pack for that engine, one that can regulate AC output.

[Mattypark]

Oops I should have included more information.  Actually, this isn't for an engine.  This is one of Faller's park kits:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/272-140317

Basically, I was just hoping to see if anybody knows where I can get a 16 VAC power supply to power an accessory such as this, as well as an on-off switch?  Thanks again for any info.

[rrinker]

 You can pick up a simple on-off toggle switch anywhere, or use Atlas Connectors. The 18VAC from your power pack should be fine, although it might run a little fast. Even the recommended 16V might be a bit fast- you might want to look around for a 12V AC adapter.

                            --Randy

[maxman]

Mattypark

I am working on a European kit whose directions call for connection to a "16 VAC POWER SOURCE ONLY. Current/power input at 16 VAC"

I looked at that link you provided in your last post and the Walther's product information indicates that the motor is AC or DC.  Does the information provided with the kit you have contradict what it says on the Walther's site?  If the motor will run on DC, you can get yourself a cheap train transformer and connect the motor to the DC outputs.  That way you can vary the speed of the motor.

The club I belong to has one of those whirlygig things that looks similar, if not the same, to what you showed.  The darn thing spun so fast that it would throw off the rider's seats.

[Mattypark]

 The Walthers site is a bit misleading - the directions specifically call for 16 VAC.  All of their kits run on AC, and in the past I just used my AC connectors and had no problems, but this one is a complicated build that specifically notes 16VAC.  That's when I started to wonder.  I just don't want to blow the motors or control box if I plug it into my transformer. 

 From the videos I have seen, it does spin rather quick.  

[larak]

Solution 1: Place two reverse parallel diodes in series with each lead of the AC output to cut the voltage by about 1 volt RMS (as rated IE: 18volts AC becomes 17 volts AC) or 1.4 volts peak to peak. You can stack pairs in series to drop additional volts. An easier solution is #2 below.

Solution 2:  electrical supply house -> get a doorbell transformer. They come in 12VAC, 16VAC, 18VAC among others.

I hope this helps.

Karl