Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Kurtz Kraft TH-6 What type of power goes into it?

2305 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, November 25, 2013 8:56 PM

They may not be making any more product, but maybe the original owner can get you a copy of the instructions.  I don't know how recent this site is, but there is a phone number.  Maybe it still works.

https://sites.google.com/site/kurtzkraft/

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 25, 2013 8:04 PM

If no electronics, figure the layout operates on DC power pack which would have been normal.

 The lights most probably AC or DC. I would doubt LED's but no telling how old the layout is.

 Any turnout motors. Twin coil probably, AC or DC. AC is usually preferred though a Circuitron Snapper would be better.

 I would figure some block wiring with common rail.

 Any cross overs or return loops? Those would usually require a DPDT toggle switch.

 No doubt you will have to trace wires and a multimeter would help if the wiring is hidden. Couple photos of what you have might help other see what you are up against. Get a Photo Bucket account to upload photos here.

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.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, November 25, 2013 7:39 PM

Kurtz-Kraft lasted at LEAST into the late 90's, there is a reference in a 1997 issue of MR that they were one of the sponsors of a Boy Scout railroad merit badge program. Can't find any reference to a TH-6 throttle though, and it looks like one of the last time any of their products was reviewed in MR was in the 50's, and it was their slow-motion semaphore. Doesn't look like they advertised much in MR, either, at least not from the 60's on.

             --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
    November 2013
  • 4 posts
Posted by Petes on Monday, November 25, 2013 6:50 PM

Thanks guys,

I too searched the web and found only a tiny bit of info.   Based upon your suggestion and what I found in other parts of this layout  (heavy speaker was used for 12v power with the gold line being positive)  I applied power and my power light lit up, (of course it was wired directly to the power connections.)  No power came out of this board to illuminate the track power indicator.    Looking closer I found two pair of wires that left the side of the board.  They wires were routed to a cable bundle that had been cut.   Since there is a relay on this board I am suspecting that these wires may complete the circuit  and pull in the relay.  (a schematic would have been nice)   I will investigate this board more closely and attempt to reason this out.   Thanks for your educated guess

Petes

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 25, 2013 4:04 PM

I did a Google search and not much comes up. I found a site with a bunch of products listed but none of the links work.

 An ebay link shows a few Kurtz Kraft electronic modules that operated on 12 VDC and 5 VDC. Plus twin coil machine that operated on AC or DC.

 I suspect the power would have been 12 VDC like was common at that time. N scale would have been 12 VDC.

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.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, November 25, 2013 12:32 PM

Petes,

My guess would be 12 volts, DC, e-bay,has some items, on auction,going on now, from Kurtz Kraft, switch machines,signals, box cars, Etc. No power packs though.

Cheers, Drinks

Frank

Edit: I thought, just occured,to me, that it may not be N-scale, TT scale, maybe?

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, November 25, 2013 10:16 AM

Kurtz Kraft was manufactured over 50 years ago, and I think the company has been out of business for many years.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 4 posts
Kurtz Kraft TH-6 What type of power goes into it?
Posted by Petes on Sunday, November 24, 2013 6:06 PM

I fell into the deal of a century.  

I was given a large n scale layout with all sorts of wonderfull electronic devices.  It was disassembled using a saw and wire cutters. As I attempt to figure out how to bring it back to life there are many questions.    There is a Kurtz Kraft TH-6.  Elsewhere online it was described as a throttle.    There are wires going "out" to power indicator lights and toggles.    There are wires going "in" to the board that do not connect to anything.  

What kind of power should go into the board?  AC or DC and what voltage?  What kind of power is less likely to cause damage if I am wrong?  I understand that this is antiquated equipment but I am currently just trying get power operational.   Thanks

Petes

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!