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Voltscooter breakers Okay?

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, November 12, 2020 2:41 PM

 Havenm't tried them, but they are just PTC self-resetting fuses, which tend to act rather slowly.  Perhaps too slow to prevent the command station from shutting off. Also there is no check or reset mechanism - once they open the circuit, they cool down adn apply power. If the short is still there, they heat up adn open again. Lather, rinse, repeat until the short is cleared. 

 You really want cheap, you can DIY like shown here:

http://www.rr-cirkits.com/Notebook/short.html

A pack of 2 bulbs is $4 on AMazon, possibly cheaper from an auto parts place. 

You'll have to go to Mouser for the Littlefuse 30R090UU - only ones I see on Amazon are a pack of 100. Mouser, they are 44 cents each in quanities of 1. 

The equivalent of the Voltscooter produict would be some number of the 30R090UU's in parallel - each one is .9 amps, 2 in parallel would be a 1.8 amp breaker, 3 would be a 2.7 amp breaker. I guess that would be an ever cheaper solution, 3 of these at 44 cents each, in parallel. $1.32. Plus shipping, so you might want to shop around, these electronic suppliers aren't fond of filling tiny orders so there is usually a surcharge.

                                        --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 2007
  • From: Fullerton, California
  • 1,364 posts
Voltscooter breakers Okay?
Posted by hornblower on Thursday, November 12, 2020 2:10 PM

I need to add circuit breakers to my existing layout so that shorts don't also cycle my WiFi module (which dumps everyone using a smart throttle).  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has hit my wallet like a ton of bricks (still no exposure to COVID though) so I'm on a very tight budget.  At $8 each, the Voltscooter "Automatic Fuse" fits my budget but I've not found anyone who has any experience with them.  Can anyone chime in on this product?

Hornblower

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