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Kadee electromagnets

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: North Carolina
  • 758 posts
Kadee electromagnets
Posted by Aikidomaster on Monday, March 22, 2010 3:48 PM
I am installing the Kadee #309 electromagnets for the mainline. Being less than an electrical wizard, I am having some questions about power source and use of the rectifier and capacitor. Is the Digitrax PW14 adequate as a power source? Where are you all placing the rectifier and capacitor with respect to a control panel? I was thinking off placing the discharge button in the control panel in the location on the schematic of the panel. Where to place the other parts? Do you wire the electromagnets in series or parallel? Is one better than the other? Thank you, Another "4F" in electronics.

Craig North Carolina

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
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Posted by TomDiehl on Monday, March 22, 2010 4:36 PM

First, I wouldn't suggest connecting it to a power supply that is used to run the trains, it should be a separate power source. They draw a good bit of current momentarily, so would affect the operation of your trains if they're on the same power source. Use of the rectifier and capacitor is only necessary if you use an AC power source or a transformer. If your power supply is DC, you won't need them. Each electromagent should be on its own push button, which means they'll be wired in parallel to each other, and in series with the push button that activates it. If you wire two magnets in series with each other, they probably won't generate a strong enough field to operate since each magnet will get only half the circuit voltage.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
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  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Monday, March 22, 2010 5:03 PM

 You are going to need at least 16 to 18 volts at 3 amps to power one of these.  They are current hogs so a hefty power supply is needed.  I couldn't find a PW 14 in the Digitrax listings so I'm in the dark as to its rating.  If you use an AC power source transformer) plus a rectifier and a capacitor they can be mounted close to each other but the rectifier and transformer will get warm so a well ventilated location would be needed.  A commercial DC power supply of the proper rating would be a better choice.  Mouser or DigiKey should have a suitable power DC supply for your use.  Follow the pictorial wiring diagram that came with your units and you can't go wrong.

Joe

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, March 22, 2010 7:19 PM

I have a Kadee electromagnetic uncoupler.  I use a 12 volt, 1 amp wall wart power supply for it.  It seems to work just fine.  That is the only thing I have on that power supply.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: North Carolina
  • 758 posts
Posted by Aikidomaster on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 9:15 AM
I have several older power supplies from my old DC layout. Specifically, I have 2 "Hoggers". They were produced by Chicago Model International. They are the 101 MW Blue Series. They have both DC track and AC accessory ports. The Digitrax PS 14 has input 90/240 VAC 50/60 hz- output 14 VDC, 300 ma 2.1 mm Center positive connector. I have no idea what all that data that I just typed means!!!

Craig North Carolina

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 11:50 AM

Aikidomaster
I have several older power supplies from my old DC layout. Specifically, I have 2 "Hoggers". They were produced by Chicago Model International. They are the 101 MW Blue Series. They have both DC track and AC accessory ports. The Digitrax PS 14 has input 90/240 VAC 50/60 hz- output 14 VDC, 300 ma 2.1 mm Center positive connector. I have no idea what all that data that I just typed means!!!

The PS 14 is a 14 volt DC at 300 milliamps supply and I doubt that it has enough power to do the job.  Kadee specifies a much higher power need (16-18 volts at 3 amps) but as Mr. Beasley has posted he has had good luck with a 12 volt 1 amp supply so you may be able to get by with less.  Your Hogger supply may have sufficient power.  You could use the DC output and turn the throttle up to about full or use the AC accessory output with a rectifier and capacitor.  You should check the DC and AC outputs with a volt meter to be sure of the voltage.  Then hook one of your uncouplers up and try it.

Joe 

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