I have received a GML FC-6 fast clock system from a modeller who is dismantling his layout. The installation instructions say nothing about a power source for this system. What power sources are used by those who have installed this system on their layouts?
It appears that the system should have come with a 120 volt wall wart transformer, http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/id19.html.
Maybe the modeller forgot to give it to you.
I suspect maxman nailed it with that clock.
On the newer clocks made for DCC systems, they would most likely be powered by the control bus. That's how my Logic Rail Technologies fast clocks are. They plug into the bus just like any other panel, for example to plug your controller. All the power and the signal comes in via the plug in cables to the bus.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The OP's clock is based on the Mike Dodd article in MR in the early 90's, there's two wires to the clock which is a modified mechanism which cuts out the battery and circuit usually found in such clocks and allows the signal to directly drive the stepper motor. The only power supply would be to the base unit which has the circuitry and the selection options for fast clock ratio. I believe this is what the OP was referring to when he said he didn' t get a power supply. I didn't search the site carefully but somewhere it should specify the voltage and current requirements, or perhaps in the manual for the system, which is available on the site. You could then use any wall wart which meets those requirements.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker I believe this is what the OP was referring to when he said he didn' t get a power supply. I didn't search the site carefully but somewhere it should specify the voltage and current requirements, or perhaps in the manual for the system, which is available on the site.
Well, yes, that's what I believe he's looking for. The link I provided above indicates that the power supply requires 120 vac. But it doesn't indicate the current requirement. So far as a manual, I looked a couple times and didn't see one referenced on the site. Perhaps I missed it.
Yes, it says it comes with a small AC wall dapter (Wall wart), so it's 120 VAC IN. Out is what we need to know, so a proper substitute can be purchased. No manuals or other information on the site that I could find, but there is contact information. One possible clue is that they also offered a battery powered version - likely a 9V battery. But given the price of the base unit, I wouldn't experiment with different voltages just to see what works - possibly one could tell by looking at the circuit if you understand enough electronics.
rrinker The OP's clock is based on the Mike Dodd article in MR in the early 90's, there's two wires to the clock which is a modified mechanism which cuts out the battery and circuit usually found in such clocks and allows the signal to directly drive the stepper motor. The only power supply would be to the base unit which has the circuitry and the selection options for fast clock ratio. I believe this is what the OP was referring to when he said he didn' t get a power supply..... You could then use any wall wart which meets those requirements.
The OP's clock is based on the Mike Dodd article in MR in the early 90's, there's two wires to the clock which is a modified mechanism which cuts out the battery and circuit usually found in such clocks and allows the signal to directly drive the stepper motor. The only power supply would be to the base unit which has the circuitry and the selection options for fast clock ratio. I believe this is what the OP was referring to when he said he didn' t get a power supply.....
You could then use any wall wart which meets those requirements.
I built one of these from parts Mike provided. The wall wart is 9 VDC - 200MA - Will work if it is Mike D's system.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Thanks for all the feedback guys. In the confusion and haste of moving everything out of its former location, I overlooked the very substantial Samlex regulated power supply that had been used to power the clock system in its former home. It's not a "wall wart" by any means, but I have just connected everything up and it all runs beautifully.
So now I am faced with the much tougher job of figuring out where to mount the various clock faces around the layout. Hmmmm . . . I'll let you know how that one turns out.