07-29-2011, 08:06 AM
Rob,
All DC power packs have to convert AC into DC. They usually do that using diodes. The better ones will use a full-wave bridge which is four diodes and a capacitor, others use a half-wave with only one diode and a bigger capacitor. If one diode shorts our, or if one opens in a full-wave, you'll get AC instead of DC. Check out my tutorial on power packs here:
http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=627
If you have a meter, set it to read AC and look at your DC output. If you get a rather large voltage reading, then this could be the problem. DC motors don't work that well if you have an AC component riding on the DC.
All DC power packs have to convert AC into DC. They usually do that using diodes. The better ones will use a full-wave bridge which is four diodes and a capacitor, others use a half-wave with only one diode and a bigger capacitor. If one diode shorts our, or if one opens in a full-wave, you'll get AC instead of DC. Check out my tutorial on power packs here:
http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=627
If you have a meter, set it to read AC and look at your DC output. If you get a rather large voltage reading, then this could be the problem. DC motors don't work that well if you have an AC component riding on the DC.
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD