I seem to have a problem with my Tortoise power supplies. I have had 3 of them die since installing the switch machines about a year ago. I have been using the ones sold by Circuitron for their Tortoises. Yesterday, upon going to the train room and turning on the power I discovered my third dead transformer.
I use the Circuitron supplies for my switch machines/switch panels. I have a separate one of their transformers running a pair of Walthers turntables and they seem to do fine. I have 20 powered turnouts running (sometimes) off one transformer. I understand this isn't over-taxing their output so what could be the cause? Any ideas?
Stumped in Stinkadena,
Roger Huber
How much current does a Tortoise draw? Multiply by 20 machines for total current. The machine draws current all the time. Is this total current more than the transformer supply? I do not use these. Don't know the specs.
You are sure nothing else is using this power?
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.
20 Tortoises is about .4-.5 amp max. The Circuitron power supply is good for up to .5 amp so it should be fine. However, like many wal-warts, it probably is protected by an internal fusible link - one quick short circuit and it's toast. So beware of shorting the output.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The Circuitron site says their power supply should be able to handle 30 Tortoises which is 450 ma. It is good for 500ma. Each Tortoise is 15 ma. at stall. From years of electrical experience, I never go over 75 percent capacity of the power supply.
20 machines is 300 ma. Should be fine.
I thought you would have contacted Circuitron by now. Sounds logical to me.
Are you sure you have not tapped into the buss for the machines for something else?