Edit topic

Updated your discussion topic below.

Subject
Enter a subject for your topic. Maximum 150 characters.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
You guys who are electrical geniuses are going to think "here is another one" when yo read this, and you are right. I have an "erector set" in N scale where I enjoy experimenting with different aspects of layout building as a learning process. It is basically a large oval that originally went around the Christmas tree with a double track and some turnout spurs and crossover. My latest has been to learn about turnouts, wiring, etc. so I mounted a tortoise and tried a variety of linkages from model airplane control cable to the thin metal auto wiper blade strips with holes and a bell crank. But wiring is my downfall!! I want to learn how to use a relay with my tortoise (it is powered as shown in their instructions with a pair of 12V 500mA wall transformers) . I read what I could on the web, and then started searching places like Radio Shack as well as the Web suppliers of electronics for a 12V relay and really got lost . One of the on-line electronics suppliers had a help desk, to which I sent the following: "I am a model railroader looking for a relay to switch power on the "frog" of a turnout. The switch motor is 12 VDC and has auxiliary contacts to which I would like to connect a relay.. From all the chat I've read from model railroaders, I need a relay that will use 12 VDC to energize the coil, and operate with a coil resistance of 100 Ohms or less. The contact voltage will be no greater than 18-20 VDC, and require 2 amps or less. The reply I received was very courteous, but obviously shows my ignorance, because I don't even know how to answer: "we need to know how many sets of contacts you want on the relay (one, two, three, four?). Is it necessary that the relay have a coil resistance of less than 100 ohms? (most 12V relays have a coil with a DC resistance between 185 and 300 ohms--so the relay coil doesn't waste so much of your power!)." Can anyone help. please??
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
E-mail Subscribe
Check the box below if you want to receive e-mail notifications when replies are made to this thread.

Receive notifications

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!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit topic

Subject

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

E-mail Subscribe

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community