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+--- Thread: Using track power (/showthread.php?tid=6025)
Using track power - Lester Perry - 05-08-2013
I just read an article in MRH, Using Ohm's Law. It tells about using a bridge rectifier to get a DC current from the track. I am not very knowledgeable in electric stuff, but could this be used to power a switch or signal? I am not talking about anything major even the lights on a signal.
Re: Using track power - Tyson Rayles - 05-08-2013
Les in the old days all the Lionel and American Flyer stuff had AC track power and AC motors so there was no problem.
Now adays three rail toy trains or American Flyer still use AC track power but DC motors so you need to have the bridge rectifer in the engine to convert the AC to DC. If your circuit board goes bad you can cut it out and install a new rectifier and continue to make laps however with no circuit board you only have forward (or reverse depending on which way you wire it} and stop so ops aren't possible. As far as lights go they care about voltage but all the ones I've run across will do just fine with either AC or DC. Switches and signals will depend upon the manufacturer but most modern transformers/power supplies have a AC and a DC side so you can use either one depending on what you need. As far as getting a DC current from the track unless it's 3 rail toy trains (Lionel/MTH/ect,) or American Flyer it should already be DC.
Re: Using track power - faraway - 05-08-2013
Les, there are several aspects to obey
1. It is not the way it is designed for but it is a perfect ok if you have plenty of DCC power and want to attach only low current devices
2. Standard bridge rectifier are designed for 50Hz line power. Some of them are not fast enough to do their job on the much faster DCC signal. Just give it a test but be prepared to build your own bridge from four standard 1A diodes.
3. Switch machines with coils may draw a lot of current. It would not use them as you intend. Other switch machines eg. tortoise are a perfect match for your plan.
Good luck!
Re: Using track power - Lester Perry - 05-08-2013
This isn't really a plan, just a thought. I read about it and got to thinking hey, maybe!
Re: Using track power - Tyson Rayles - 05-08-2013
Radio Shack has a wide variety of rectifiers however if it's like the one here there may not be anybody there that knows anything about them.
Re: Using track power - Steamtrains - 05-09-2013
Tyson Rayles Wrote:Radio Shack has a wide variety of rectifiers however if it's like the one here there may not be anybody there that knows anything about them.
That seems to be a general requirement for working at RS...The typical job interview goes like this...
Recruiter: "Do you have knowledge or experience in electronics?"
Applicant: "No..."
Recruiter: "That's OK...You're hired..."
Re: Using track power - Tyson Rayles - 05-09-2013
Amen to that !
