Dcc solenoid controllers

[cowjock]

Hi All,

    Need some input on Dcc solenoid controllers.  I have an 1 nce controller which in my experience is "weak" lucky to drive one one solenoid even with another 2200ufd cap added it's weak. Just received an Dcc concepts ADS-2fx controller which I really liked until hooked up the second controller to find out it's dead!!! The other thing I noticed was the circuit board was getting hot, not at all to my liking. I also have an Dcc Specialties PSX -AR which works well. I know they have a Jack Rabbit controller but have no experiece with it. I need some advice on them or other controller I have not mentioned.

Cowjock.

[7j43k]

You COULD use your Dcc solenoid controller to operate a relay.  Then the relay can control the solenoid.  And you can then have so much power going to the solenoid, you can shoot it across the room.

 

Ed

[BigDaddy]

I cannot solve your problem but I am trying to follow along.

cowjock

Just received an Dcc concepts ADS-2fx controller which I really liked until hooked up the second controller to find out it's dead!!! The other thing I noticed was the circuit board was getting hot

There are 2 outputs on this board and one of them is DOA?  And the board gets hot.

The NCE board you are unhappy with is

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/Q-Snap-control-for-4-twin-coil-type-switch-machines-p38322143

I cannot tell what capacitors are on the board, either by the specs or by looking at the pic.  But you found an additional 2200 ufd cap is not enough.

The Circuitron Snapper looks like it has a 4700 ufd cap.

What I do know is capacitor life span is shortened if they run hot.  In my inadequate mind, it shouldn't be difficult to design a board that discharges the capacitors and doesn't get hot.  So maybe the question should be what else is going on?

How and with what are you supplying power to these boards?

What and how many switch machines are you throwing at a time?

 

 

 

[gregc]

cowjock

The other thing I noticed was the circuit board was getting hot, not at all to my liking.

it's not clear how big the load is.

one approach is the use an external transistor (instead of a relay) to ground one end of the solenoid coil with the other end connected to a proper supply, possibly different than the controller board.

the circuit below also shows the diode to suppress a voltage spike when current is cutoff.

advantages are that high current is passed thru an external component and very little current is supplied by the controller board.

[DigitalGriffin]

To best answer this question, we need to know what kind of solenoid you are using, and what you are using it for.

 

This will help us determine if it's temporary power like an atlas switch machine, or permenent, and how much power you need.

I have a very lower power input panasonic 12V DPDT relay switch which will handle up to 3 amps continous.  You could connect that to any cheap DCC decoder that handles 50mA.  You have choice of latching or non-latching (non-latching returns to A position when power is cut.  Latching stays in the last position it was set at when power is cut, but requires an alternating current)

If it's temporary you need a resistor and large capacitor discharge circuit with a transistor.

A diode would be wise too to prevent back feed current from blowing things up

https://www.onlinecomponents.com/panasonic-ew-aromat-jw2sndc12v.html?p=10558754&ref=newbingrichfeed&msclkid=8a2224c5624411c82bc87e5de779555f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sl>>shopping>>supplier>>bing&utm_term=4583589099008168&utm_content=ad%20group%20%231