I have almost completed the console modification for the Faulkner County Free-Mo Group. The modification needed to make the Command Station portable and rugged.
1. Install Command Station (CS) into a 9"x7" Bud Enclosure with hinges.
2. Add an On/Off switch and 3.5mm plug. This eliminates unplugging the wall wart to turn the CS On or Off. It also makes it easy to plug power into the CS.
3. Add two modular ports to the backplane for the Booster and Throttle Extender Cables.
4. Add "D" connector to backplane to provide a standard RS-232 port connection.
5. Added terminal strip to power the Programming Track.
The only reason to open the hinged cover is to replace the battery, now.
Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate the work.
Great idea! The only thing I can think of that would be an improvement would be to use an enclosure large enough to incorporate the power transformer within it.
As more and more things trend to keeping the power supply out of the case - I think it's probably better this way. If the power transformer were incorporated inside the case, you then have to deal with 120VAC wiring in close proximity to the low voltage DCC wiring. You have heat build up from the power supply. And you have to worry about the AC cord becoming damaged and creating a shock hazard. Keeping the power supply as an external unit, you can easily replace it, and you get a device that is already certified to be safe and not expose high voltage to users (assuming it's a properly listed and inspected device, and not something from some shady basement manufactury).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
cacole Great idea! The only thing I can think of that would be an improvement would be to use an enclosure large enough to incorporate the power transformer within it.
Hi Cacole,
I fail to see what putting the transformer in the case would accomplish. I would still have a power cable to plug in. Please, explain your vision on how this would be better. I'm always wanting to incorporate improvements in my designs.
My design change was to eliminate mechanical stress on the circuit board when plugging and unplugging the power cube 3.5mm plug. Adding the external receptical allowed adding the on/off switch, too. The original receptical's functionality is unchanged. The basic idea was the result of another modelers suggestion.
Jon
rrinker .........(assuming it's a properly listed and inspected device, and not something from some shady basement manufactury). --Randy
.........(assuming it's a properly listed and inspected device, and not something from some shady basement manufactury).
Hi Randy,
Repurposing transformers has a long and successful history. I have rewound many listed transformers to change the secondary voltages. I have a pole pig downstairs now that I am repurposing. The only thing to be concerned about is acquiring an oil cooled transformer contaminated with PCB's.
All of my Booster3 transformers were originally 24 volt center tap transformers from my junk box. Now they are 18 volt single secondary. Doing this saved me at least $40 per Booster3.