cleaning out the junk room

[durango]

Since we have to pay to dispose of  E-junk, they seem to pile up in the junk room.  So, I'm looking at a stack of DVRs, VCRs, and a flat bed scanner.  Is there anything inside of these units that can be salvaged and used on the model railroad?  If it will matter, mine is HOn3 and will be DCC (already bought a Zephyer and the benchwork is nearing completion). Thanks, Steve

[Stevert]

  Power supplies, LED's and motors can sometimes be removed and used for various layout purposes, keeping in mind that anything using house current (like those power supplies) should be housed in a proper enclosure.  If you build your own circuits, you can often remove individual components from the boards and re-use them.

HTH,
(Another) Steve

[loathar]

Motors and small gauge wire are worth saving. I've got a whole bin of small screws I pulled out of stuff like that. It's come in pretty handy.

[durango]

OK thanks guys,  Now I have found a timer from a whirlpool elec dryer.  Does any one know the RPM of these motors or can they be regulated?  I'm thinking turntable on this one. Steve

[rrinker]

 I think that's going to be way too fast,, not to mention too large. A tumble dryer runs slowly because usually there is a HUGE ratio belt drive between the motor and drum. Witht he right gears, one of the motors from a VCR is probably a better bet to power a turntable. A stepper motor and precisions gears can get accurate alignmetn without sensors at every stopping position - this is how the Walthers ones work.

                              --Randy

 

[CSX Robert]

He's talking about the timer motor, not the motor that turns the drum.

[durango]

Yes, I meant the timer motor--the big (or main) motor is now sitttting on a dryer blower on top of an old range hood that is the main part of my spray booth. So far the booth has been a fun and gratifying project.

Steve