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Post by theengineshed on Oct 8, 2023 12:59:33 GMT -8
With all the talk of certain DC controllers damaging DCC electronics with AC spikes, I was looking for something to put between my DC controllers and my DC test track. It seems like a bridge rectifier and a couple of caps would filter out any AC spikes or waveforms. Does anyone know of a commercial product that would do this? Or a simple circuit that I could build?
I haven't had any problems testing DCC equipped locos on my DC test track, but maybe I have just been lucky. With coreless motors stray AC is a potential issue there as well. I also use my DC test track for painting locos, I have a set of rollers that purpose, the rollers haven't gotten gunked up from airbrushing wheels yet...
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 8, 2023 16:42:07 GMT -8
Something to consider first is whether your DC controllers are intended to output only smooth DC. Smooth DC has traditionally been a poor choice for running model trains.
If you find your DC controllers use various waveforms and/or pulses and/or other clever tricks to get the motors to spin more usefully, then designing a filter for what you are after would seem very challenging, as the new filter would tend to erase those special waveforms.
I think you'll be ahead skipping this filter. As long as you have a good quality "controller", I doubt there will be a problem.
Ed
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Post by jonklein611 on Oct 9, 2023 6:07:38 GMT -8
Which DC controller do you have? Most don't cause any issues at all.
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 14, 2023 10:35:57 GMT -8
What I have been using for testing is a big LGB 50081 transformer that goes up to 24 volts. It has a single dial, that reverses track direction at the 12 o'clock position. I have the dial marked at 12volts.
I have an Athearn SDK-789 too, plus some others, somewhere.
I don't need pulse power or the like, I use DC for testing and painting. I'm obviously paranoid, as I said, I haven't had any issues frying anything.
Capacitors degrade with time, and most of my DC stuff is 20 plus years old. Not that the transformers have been used much...
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 14, 2023 14:50:16 GMT -8
Semi-minor note: "Transformers" output AC (sinusoidal AC). "Power packs" output DC, of various waveforms. A "controller" could be almost anything. Here is an Atlas controller:  A transformer cannot make DC. Ed |
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 14, 2023 15:48:31 GMT -8
Semi-minor note: A transformer cannot make DC. Ed Transformer is molded on the power pack. It is LGB and made in Germany. Maybe a translation thing? |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 14, 2023 16:28:44 GMT -8
Semi-minor note: A transformer cannot make DC. Ed Transformer is molded on the power pack. It is LGB and made in Germany. Maybe a translation thing? Wow. I see. If they're going to use an English word, it should be the right one. Germans being all precise, and all that. Ed |
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 14, 2023 16:43:55 GMT -8
You are a real help Ed, thanks.
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