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newbee question on ATLAS remote switches
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lets see if i'm getting this right, then...... <br /> <br />Atlas switch motors - Peco too, apparently - consist of an armature sandwiched between two solenoids. In order to "throw" the switch, one zaps the relevant solenoid with a jolt of electricity and it pulls the armature towards it, thus throwing the switch as required. This electrical jolt originates from a "CDU" which recharges itself ready for the next punch. Correct? <br /> <br />ok..... I'm new to this hobby, but I associate the term "CDU" with car ignition systems. In fact Capacitor Discharge Units are nasty beasts. The output from these units take the form of an instantaneous high energy pulse which quickly tapers to nothing. Has anyone ever asked a switch motor its opinion about being given such treatment? <br /> <br />If I'm correct here, most of the energy would be lost on the onset of current flow within the motor coil. Since coil resistance is very low without current flow, most of the energy available would be "lost" in building up the initial magnetic field, with little left over to maintain the field and provide the pull for the motor to function. <br /> <br />One way round this is to provide a large enough energy store to have a long-enough pulse to be effective. The downside of this is that the larger the energy store, the bigger the initial surge would be, and this, in my opinion, is detrimental to the motor coils. <br /> <br />Instead of providing an uncontrolled high energy spike, wouldn't a realtively low powered controlled constant pulse do the same thing and shift the motor without the jolt? If so, then I'd say that the motor would last longer. <br /> <br />Such a pulse can easily be generated simply by pushing a switch and temporarily connecting the coils to a supply. <br /> <br />So I'd say thra***he CDU's and bring on the simple switch!!!! <br /> <br />Feel free to lynch me dudes!!!!!!!!![:-^]
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