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AC power question for HO Scale layout lighting and AC power.

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 8 posts
Posted by torn confederate on Friday, February 24, 2012 8:41 PM
Thank you everyone for the great ideas and help. Now I have some better options for finding a replacement power supply solution. Glad I gave the forum here a try! Thanks again.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Friday, February 24, 2012 2:56 PM

As the others have said that is a very basic supply.    I always cruise the "electronics" section  of thrift stores looking for power supplies.   I often find things for pennies on the dollar there.  I even got an extra supply for my notebook computer for $4.  The real store wanted $80 for it. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Southwest US
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Posted by tomikawaTT on Friday, February 24, 2012 2:18 PM

My friendly (send me a catalog 4 times a year) electronics e-tailer carries a variety of small AC transformers, for a lot less than you'll pay for a standard power supply, even used on E-Bay.  Granted you'll have to provide a housing and AC connector [I have one sealed into a discarded (by my wife) refrigerator container, with the cord from a dead wall wart and three stud-type termini made from brass machine screws.]

Why three termini?  The transformer is a 12.6V center tapped filament transformer, 3 amp capacity - plenty enough for the structure lights of my biggest settlement.  Others power switch machines.  I personally prefer multiple, independent power supplies, all plugged into a switched 120VAC circuit that runs along the fascia line of my layout, with outlet boxes for local power and plug-in machine tools.

As for electronics e-tailers, try googling AllElectronics, Mouser or just electronics supplies.  Some have  a healthy shipping charge - but so does E-Bay.  You can order other things you might need (toggle switches, etc.) at the same time on the same flat-rate shipping charge.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

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  • Member since
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  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Friday, February 24, 2012 7:08 AM

torn,

I'm going to go on the flip side and encourage you to get a good, inexpensive MRC power pack and use the DC side of the transformer rather than the AC for powering your lights.  That way you can "dial down" the voltage and run your lighting at 50-55%.  This will extend the life of your incandescent bulbs greatly and still provide plenty of lumins for lighting your buildings and layout.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Friday, February 24, 2012 6:12 AM

 That's a basic 16 volt AC transformer rated at 1 amp. You should be able to find somethign close even at Radio Shack. DC will work fine for light bulbs as well, so another place to look is on eBay for replacement supplies for laptops and LCD monitors. There are dozens if not hundreds of sellers, some even indicate the product ships fromt he US which means it comes very quickly. I have a 15 volt 1.5 amp one I picked up for under $10.

 You don;t need exactly 1 amp, or 1000ma. Your actual need is determnined by how many lights and what the current draw of each light is, but higher will not hurt. On voltage you should probably try to stay a little under 16V for longer bulb life, plus they won't look like miniature fusion reactors.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 1,047 posts
Posted by betamax on Friday, February 24, 2012 4:31 AM

A bell transformer would probably fit the bill, and they are not hard to find, as they are used for doorbells.  A hardware store would probably have one.

If you have any doubts about your ability to hook it up, just ask someone who knows about these things to help.  

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 8 posts
AC power question for HO Scale layout lighting and AC power.
Posted by torn confederate on Friday, February 24, 2012 2:58 AM

I am hoping I can find some help here. I have an HO scale layout on which I have a lot of AC lighting (12-16V). I have been using a plug-in style transformer for all my lighting that has worked great for years until recently when it stopped working. I now have no layout lighting. I like to keep AC power separate from my DC train control packs rather then add that drain to them as well.

The power supply was a direct plug-in class 2 transformer model: JK-1601-SA

I/P 120VAC 60Hz 19W

o/P 16VAC 1000mA

I havent been able to find it as im sure its old. I am trying to find something simular that will work and be safe for the lighting. I just dont know what all the different electronic terms are and how to tell what kind of new plug in style trasformer will work. I look forward to any help that anyone can offer. I would like to get my lighting back up.

If you need any other info please let me know.

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