Menards train stuff

[rrinker]

 True, but no one really reported them until the 40's. My theory is the aliens aren't interested until a planet achieves atomic status.

                                --Randy

[joe323]

There is no such thing as a UFO being the wrong era

[gmpullman]

jrbernier

I wish the UFO was available in HO!

https://www.walthers.com/ufo-flying-saucer-kit-with-working-lights-5-alien-figures

A little too modern for my era, plus mine would need dynamic brakes. The flying saucer was a hot-shot freight on the Erie, IIRC.

Regards, Ed

[tommymr]

I have only done a cursory experiment, because I have the HO Wallys service station, but, it seems that the board Menards uses to drive the LED's and motors is regulated.  I have a 'wall wart' that has switchable outputs.  Anything under 3v and nothing works at all.  Lights are not really noticiably dimmer at 3v vs. 4.5v, which leads me to believe the board is regulated.  You might have to disconnect the lighting from the board, and/or use pulse width modulation to dim the LEDs, which I can't stand, because I can see the 'strobing' effect on the LEDs.

[rrinker]

UFOs can be any scale - maybe the aliens are 10 feet tall, then the O scale UFO is perfect for HO. Or maybe they are like 2 feet tall, then the O scale UFO is perfect for G scale.  

                             --Randy

[jrbernier]

  I wish the UFO was available in HO!

[RR_Mel]

BigDaddy

 

 

AirMojo

I like them all a lot, however my only complaint is the 4.5 volt AC to DC power adapter that they need...

 

 

 

 

AirMojo

I have read where some guys connect a DC transformer to the buildings, but I'm not sure how they go about doing that, or the rewiring involved... I'm very curious on how they do that.

 

 

If I post something and I'm wrong, the gurus correct me and I would rather learn than be offended, so here goes.  Working from the  building backwards.

There are various size barrel connectors.  Somebody must know what size Menards uses.  There are connectors on ebay that have a barrel on one side and wire terminals on the other.

There are things called buck voltage regulators.  On Ebay, from China, they cost about a $1, maybe that is where the name comes from.   You can dial down the voltage ot 3.3 V.  Anything 4.5v or less should work and Menards buildings I have seen are quite bright at 4.5.

From there you need a bus and a 12 v supply from a wall wart.

 

 

I have a fair amount of experience with the DC to DC Buck Converters, three years.  I now have eight of them in service.  Six on my layout and two on my workbench.  They work perfect operating off a 12 volt supply from about 2 volts to 24 volts.  I would suggest using diodes in series to reduce the voltage under 2 volts.  They become somewhat unstable when adjusted to less than 2 volts.  The voltage when turned on can vary a half volt.  They are extremely stable from 3 volts up from 0 to max current.  I highly recommend them for projects.

 

I use the "7-32V to 0.8-28V Step-down Power Module DC-DC CC CV Buck Converter 12A 300W", they are readily available on eBay for under $5.

 

I have several running at over 3 amps and one at 7½ amps without any problems.  I have one supplying 1.35 volts for my 1½ volt micro bulb headlights, I put a full wave 25 amp bridge rectifier in series with the converter to reduce the output by 1.4 volts then adjust the voltage going to the bulbs to 1.35 volts.  With the convertor set to 2.75 volts it is very stable.  For protection I also put shorting bridge rectifier across the 1.35 volt supply line to limit the max voltage to 1.4 volts should something go wrong.  I have over 200 micro bulbs that I don’t want to replace.  For further protection I put a 5 amp fuse in series with the converter.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[BigDaddy]

AirMojo

I like them all a lot, however my only complaint is the 4.5 volt AC to DC power adapter that they need...

AirMojo

I have read where some guys connect a DC transformer to the buildings, but I'm not sure how they go about doing that, or the rewiring involved... I'm very curious on how they do that.

If I post something and I'm wrong, the gurus correct me and I would rather learn than be offended, so here goes.  Working from the  building backwards.

There are various size barrel connectors.  Somebody must know what size Menards uses.  There are connectors on ebay that have a barrel on one side and wire terminals on the other.

There are things called buck voltage regulators.  On Ebay, from China, they cost about a $1, maybe that is where the name comes from.   You can dial down the voltage ot 3.3 V.  Anything 4.5v or less should work and Menards buildings I have seen are quite bright at 4.5.

From there you need a bus and a 12 v supply from a wall wart.

 

[AirMojo]

I recently purchased the Menards O-gauge Martion UFO... I was lucky to find a place for it on my layout.

Last year I purchased the Pepsi Plant, which goes great with my layout's Pepsi Theme... before that I purchased the Morton Salt Factory.

I like them all a lot, however my only complaint is the 4.5 volt AC to DC power adapter that they need... I did buy the 3-plug adapter that has three 30-inch extensions, which will probably work... but I am limited to what I can plug into my power bar under the train layout.

But I would really rather be able to toggle each "building" accessory on or off, especially the Martian UFO that has a motor in the UFO that hoists the cow up and down... I'm wondering how long that motor will last.

It really shouldn't be an issue since I don't run my layout for any long periods of time anyways.

I have read where some guys connect a DC transformer to the buildings, but I'm not sure how they go about doing that, or the rewiring involved... I'm very curious on how they do that.

[Bubbytrains]

I’ve got my eye on their die cast material handler. It comes with both magnet and grapple attachments. It would be perfect for the scrap metal yard I’m planning.

Alan

[SeeYou190]

There were a lot of trains on display at Menard's in Columbus, Indiana.

.

I must say... Wally's Service Station looks very good, and it just might find a home on my layout.

.

-Kevin

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[joe323]

I have 2 Menards buildings.  The Morton Salt Factory and Vetter Sash and Door.  These are not buildings that I would put on a serious scale layout but they are well made and beutifully lit.  Since my wife is a Blue Bloods fan I am hopping they will make the One Police Plaza Building in HO soon.

[willy6]

I like them. I have the train station and hobby shop. The buildings come attached to a scenic base and you might have to remove it based on your situation and arrangement. Also, they have fast service when you order.

[mbinsewi]

They seem to be steadily increasing what they have to offer.  I don't have any of the HO scale buildings, but I am interested in the crane that looks like a model of a Liebherr crane.

I think they are doing a great job of getting model railroading exposed to the public.

Mike.

[tommymr]

Maybe I've been asleep at the wheel, but it seems to me Menards has increased their selection greatly in a short amout of time.  They now have Model Power buildings, and I see the total number of train related items (both HO & O) is presently at 582.  Much more than I remember.