Can any one tell me if there are problems with the legacy control systems if used in the UK with a Transformer, We have 240 volts 50 hz and although transformers are relativly cheap the only convert the voltage and not the frequency.
Any advice would be appreciated
Many thanks
Usually, control systems operate on DC voltage because they have internal rectifiers and regulators, so they should be okay to use on 50 Hz power through a 240 to 110 step-down transformer.
U.S. television sets won't work in the UK because of the difference between the U.S. NTSC and European PAL video standards, and U.S. appliances with induction motors such as refrigerators or air conditioners cannot be used on 50 Hz current, but most consumer electronics such as laptop computers, radios, CD and DVD players, etc. will be okay.
I spent 6 years in Germany on two separate military assignments, where the standard electrical power is 240 Volts and 50 Hz, and the only thing that would not work okay was an appliance with a compressor. The U.S. military warned people being transferred to Europe to not take such appliances.
Welcome aboard and nice avatar!
What do you mean by "legacy control systems?" Is there one in particular?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The frequency is not an issue. People have been doing that for many years.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
cacole is correct. And it's a good question, even if people have been doing it for years. Until YOU have to do it, it's a bit of arcane knowledge few are likely to have encountered. Was an AF brat myself, spent 4 years in Germany.
I'd only add that any old school 60hz clock mechanism won't work properly either on 50hz. Or any circuit that depends on line frequency for timing or control purposes. That still leaves a lot of stuff that works, once it's been run through a transformer to drop it to 110volts.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
HI
Thanks for the reply thanks for the comment about my avatar, I am a member of Knights templar (5 years) and a freemason for about 27 years.
I was looking at the lionel 990 or is it 099?
I love the crew talk sounds as shown on erics trains on youtube I know other manufactures have this as a feature but the lionell looks the easiest to program
MisterBeasley Welcome aboard and nice avatar! What do you mean by "legacy control systems?" Is there one in particular?
Most of the Lionel and O-scale modelers hang out on the Classic Trains forum. You're always welcome here, of course, but for a more knowledgable discussion in O that's probably a better place to start.
essex old manCan any one tell me if there are problems with the legacy control systems if used in the UK with a Transformer
It will depend to some extent which specific "legacy control system" you are looking at. The lower end of the range of model railway power units were often fairly cheaply made and the 110V to ~15V AC step down transformers inside them may not take kindly to 50Hz mains frequency, particularly in that they may get a bit hotter than the temperature were designed to safely run at.
With higher end "legacy" model railway power units you shouldn't expect any issues.
Cheers,
Bill