Wiring idea to run on A.C. or D.C.

[Boyd]

I hope the link works. If not can I email this one to someone who can post it? Wiring idea for newer can motored engines.

Wiring routing #1: track power to 1st DPDT switch which is switched to the Lionel circuit board for normal A.C. current operation.

Wiring routing #2: track power to 1st DPDT switch (bypassing the Lionel circuit board) which is thrown to another DPDT switch so you can reverse the polarity in case this engine is M-Ued to another engine with opposite polarity. In DC operation multiple unit operation is much easier. For steam engines with a whistle tender you would need to wire an inline on/off switch for the pickup so the whistle does not operate constantly. I was planning on running an extra wire from the whistles center pickup rollers up to the engine so it does not stall in long switches.

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj220/boydferrisbueller/?action=view&current=D 

[Dub]

You need to use the link button and paste into that screen. My link button isn't turned on.

[Boyd]

I don't know how to copy/paste.

[lionelsoni]

To make a link work, all you have to do is put a carriage-return after it, like this: 

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj220/boydferrisbueller/?action=view&current=D 

If it's the last thing in the post, it won't be active without that.

I suggest that you not use the first DPDT switch to route track voltage to either the circuit board or the second switch.  That will leave the motor connected to the circuit board even when you are running from DC.  It might disconnect itself from the motor in that case, and it might not, leaving your track voltage applied to the output of an unpowered circuit board, with unknown consequences.

I would approach it this way:  Disconnect the motor from the board.  Connect the motor wires to one DPDT switch wired for reversing (swapping) them.  From that switch, wire to the other DPDT switch's common terminals to select whether the motor is powered from the circuit board or directly from the track.  Leave the track voltage connected to the board's input; I don't see how it could cause any harm for it to be active, with nothing connected to its output.

An additional advantage of this approach is that you can reverse the motor even when it is powered from the circuit board.  This allows you easily to customize or coordinate the default directions of locomotives run from the circuit board.

Except for that, I think you have a great idea there, Boyd.