Hi: I have a On30 trainset from Bradford Exchange that I purchased a couple of years ago...notice that when they ship you additional buildings and other structures, usually there's a place for a battery and a connection to a power source....do I need to purchase a separte transformer (power supply) to connect the structures or what....any tips or direction as to where I could look for a basic wiring guide and materials would be greatly appreciated. Now my layout is simple...just an oval but possibly could expand, I do have several buildings and structures that need power.....thanks for looking.
You say there's a place for a battery. What kind? A single AA cell (penlight battery) delivers 1.5 volts. Those rectilinear batteries with snap connectors commonly used in smoke detectors are rated 9 volts.
The real question is, what voltage do the bulbs work on? That depends on the individual lamp and the way two or more lamps are wired within the building.
If you are thinking of getting into model railroading as a serious hobby, one of the tools you will need sooner rather than later is a multimeter. It won't be very expensive, and it (along with a little basic electricity instruction that I got as a Boy Scout) will allow you to find answers to a lot of your electrical questions. Our hosts also have books on model railroad electrical practices - check the Book Store (Shop) above.
Hope this has been helpful.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with buildings lit with Christmas icicle lights)
Meter suggestions.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_Workshop/index.htm
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_HF/index.htm
The downside you might say for the above meters is they do not read AC current which is not an isse for me and some others.
Check Lowe's or Home Depot. They carry meters with an AC current range for a few dollars more.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
ChocoDoggy Hi: I have a On30 trainset from Bradford Exchange that I purchased a couple of years ago...notice that when they ship you additional buildings and other structures, usually there's a place for a battery and a connection to a power source....do I need to purchase a separte transformer (power supply) to connect the structures or what....any tips or direction as to where I could look for a basic wiring guide and materials would be greatly appreciated. Now my layout is simple...just an oval but possibly could expand, I do have several buildings and structures that need power.....thanks for looking.
For the wiring challenged, this "might" be an issue if the devices have different voltage requirements. If all 1.5 vdc, Miniatronics sells a power pack the provides 1.5 volts as they sell a lot of 1.5 volt light bulbs for model railroading and doll house builders.
Number 22 insulated wire will work fine. Red wire for plus and black wire for minus.
Thanks for your reply...it looks like some of them require two double A's...another requires 3 double A's.... the sticker on the bottom of the structure says an AC adapter can be used but is not supplied....the one with 2 double A's says a 3V, 300mA adapter....the Yard Tower in my village takes 3 double A's and it says it can also handle a 3V, 100mA AC adapter....and yes I do have a multimeter.....and yes, I probably need a basic electrical and wiring course....anyway that's my basic setup.....there are a total of 7 structures needing power and my basic transformer that came with the set is a Bachmann and says it powers 16V AC Accessories....looks like there are two connections for wiring for that....the AC Adapter that powers the transformer says 1000mA and 16V AC in....thanks for your assistance.....Gary
If you are near a Harbor Freight store, they have digital meters for around $2.98 that can measure AC and DC Voltage and Amperage, as well as resistance and other functions, so they are perfectly suited to model railroad use.
I'm not sure exactly which set you have from Bradford Exchange, but most of their products are made by Bachmann, and sold by them as astronomical prices compared to a local hobby shop.
ChocoDoggy,
To The Forums. Take some time out, read and familiarize yourself with the basic's of DC wiring and voltages and requirements needed for accessaries, switches and lights first, before you jump into buying any meter, to do a test that you probably won't know how to do to begin with. That could come later. A lot of basic info and more on this site:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html
Just click on it and in the right column, there are more answers, to questions you may have.
Frank
zstripe ChocoDoggy, To The Forums. Take some time out, read and familiarize yourself with the basic's of DC wiring and voltages and requirements needed for accessaries, switches and lights first, before you jump into buying any meter, to do a test that you probably won't know how to do to begin with. That could come later. A lot of basic info and more on this site: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html Just click on it and in the right column, there are more answers, to questions you may have. Frank
Appreciate your remarks....looks like my issue is how to deal with a AC adapter issue....looks like I either power the structures w/2 double A batteries or a 3v ac adapter. Is there any way I can use one adapter to power say 4 structures?? Couldn't find any thing on that on internet.....otherwise I need to get 7 adapters to power 7 structures....what a joke.....if there's any way around it, I'm all ears.....thanks, Gary