|
|
Post by alco539 on May 3, 2012 15:55:19 GMT -8
I thought I would start something over here in the electronics forum. This question maybe odd in this day in time, but I've been out of the hobby for 30+ years, like Rip Van Winkle I just woke up. Are most "modern" DC throttles transistorized? Reading the various data on some, eg. MRC Power Command. They mention momentum, brakes and proportional tracking, that sounds transistorized. The control I use now is a 30+ year old MRC Controlmaster VI, one of the first commercial mass produced transistorized throttles. Back in 1969 when I started in N scale you had to "roll your own" TAT. I know some of you guys are rolling your eyes and and saying "get with the program and go DCC". I thinking about it, but for now it's "old school" for me. Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhpd42002 on May 3, 2012 16:44:54 GMT -8
Charley,
I'm making an educated guess, but most "decent" DC throttles are probably transistorized. However, I think many of the "trainset" type throttles are still of the rheostat variety. Still useful for powering accessory lights and things of that nature.
If DCC even remotely interests you, you might try to find out if anyone near you has a DCC layout and see if you can give it a test run to see if you might be interested.
|
|
|
|
Post by alco539 on May 3, 2012 17:57:13 GMT -8
Mike thanks. My next door neighbor has an HO layout that covers his basement and it's DCC. I like DCC and I'm into Electronic stuff. I've built HeathKit projects "back in the day", if anybody knows what they are, LOL. I also spent 32 years at Verizon (and it's predecessors) with electronic switching systems ( #1/1A & 5 ESS) part of the time, so I'm not afraid of the electronics. However, the thought of changing over all of my "old school locomotives", plus the cost, does give me a headache. Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhpd42002 on May 3, 2012 18:42:06 GMT -8
LOLOLOL !!!!! Heathkits!! Yessir, I DO remember those!  I'm on Verizon but was an Alltel customer before they got bought out. DCC scared me a little bit, but help on the Atlas and Railroad Forum, plus a few tips here & there got me to where I learned how to hardwire in decoders on some of my older locos. Still have several more to do. Now my "trepidation" is tearing down a few locos that need to be fixed. A couple are factory sound units, but I know I will overcome my fear and get to 'em. The nice thing about DCC/decoder equipped units, is... they can run on DC layouts with normally, no difficulty. My layout was originally DC with block control. When I switched to DCC, I made Cab B my DCC powered control and Cab A was DC. Essentially all I'm saying, is, you CAN have it both ways and ease into DCC. You can get some decoders for as little as $13.00 to $18.00, so you can convert a few at a time, which is also something I continue to do. Everyone has their favorites, but for me, a Digitraxx, DZ-123, works well for most of my older, hardwire installs. |
|
|
|
Post by alco539 on May 4, 2012 4:41:29 GMT -8
Hi again Mike, you maybe dating yourself if you remember HeathKit. I've thought about doing what you did, keep one cab DC and the other DCC. My layout is rather small, and I used 24 AWG wire (bell wire) which my DCC neighbor says is too small for DCC. I did double all of the long feeders so I see no voltage drop to the distant blocks. He used 14 AWG, but his layout is hugh! By the way I stayed out of his basement for 10 years, because I knew the "bug would bite me". I do have quite a few dual mode loco's already, hmmmmmm? Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jens Wulf on May 4, 2012 11:35:46 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by alco539 on May 4, 2012 13:12:21 GMT -8
Jens, the LM317 makes the old three transistor circuit use in my throttle look like it's from the "stone age". Very interesting, thanks for giving me some additonal info. When I decided to use my MRC Conrolmaster VI. I was concerned that the Capacitors had dried up or leaked. They are used for the momentum feature, so I openned it up. No leakage and they seem to work, although I never use momentum. There is not much in that big case, mainly the transformer. I called MRC to see if they had parts or supported it. "Are you kidding" no surprise there. As long as it works, I'm OK. A little trivia, it was made in Japan, which surprised me at the time. Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhpd42002 on May 4, 2012 15:15:02 GMT -8
Charley, the usual test to see if your buss wires are adequate, is to do the "quarter test". With your DCC power on, you put the edge of a quarter across your rails and if your circuit breaker trips, your wires can handle the load. One thing I've found out the hard way, is when doing work on another part of the layout while a train runs elsewhere, is when I accidently laid my arm, with the watch on it across the rails, it shorts out and the watch band gets HOT , quick!! Come on over to the DARK (DCC) side!!! |
|
|
|
Post by alco539 on Jun 22, 2012 9:24:14 GMT -8
Hey Mike! I just wanted to let you know I came over to the "DARK DCC side". I bought a NCE Power Cab, which is a entry level control for a small layout. It can be upgraded to the ProCab later if required. Long story, not so short answer. I bought a BLI E7A/E6B set with sound. To use all the sounds a BLI DC Master control module is required. Rather than put $40 in one, I decided to buy DCC. I wired it to my "B" cab of my layout through a DPDT center off switch (DCC/off/DC), per your suggestion, works like a champ. Model trains are really "FUN" again! I have an Athearn Challenger with the MRC remote, so I knew what sound could do for enjoyment of a loco. However, the BLI E7 really blows my mind (horn). Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhpd42002 on Jun 22, 2012 16:28:27 GMT -8
Hey Mike! I just wanted to let you know I came over to the "DARK DCC side". I bought a NCE Power Cab, which is a entry level control for a small layout. It can be upgraded to the ProCab later if required. Long story, not so short answer. I bought a BLI E7A/E6B set with sound. To use all the sounds a BLI DC Master control module is required. Rather than put $40 in one, I decided to buy DCC. I wired it to my "B" cab of my layout through a DPDT center off switch (DCC/off/DC), per your suggestion, works like a champ. Model trains are really "FUN" again! I have an Athearn Challenger with the MRC remote, so I knew what sound could do for enjoyment of a loco. However, the BLI E7 really blows my mind (horn). Regards Charley. LOLOL, I hear ya, Charley! My 1st sound equipped loco was a BLI, NW-2. The horn and bell used to keep my, then 1 - 2 yr. old grandson happily occupied watching/hearing the engine go on the layout. I used to put him to sleep in the train room, with that sound equipped switcher pulling a train. He's 8, now and though he doesn't get to visit often, he still knows how to run trains with my DCC system. I "sounds" as if you're having fun!! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by spookyac47 on Jun 23, 2012 19:16:22 GMT -8
. . . I like DCC and I'm into Electronic stuff. I've built HeathKit projects "back in the day", if anybody knows what they are, LOL. . . . . Yep, remember the Heathkits . . . built 1) Heathkit ET-3200 ET3200 Digital Design Experimental Breadboard 2) Vacuum Tube Voltmeter Heathkit Model V-7A 3) Heathkit Single Trace Oscilloscope IO-4530 (sitting in the garage on the workbench) 4) Heathkit GD-348 metal Detector 5) Heathkit CP-1060 Capacitive Discharge Ignition 6) Heathkit GD-1150 Ultrasonic Cleaner Assembly (which I still use to clean model train parts and paint off of small boxcars, etc. 7) Heathkit 295 Console Color TV set  |
|
|
|
Post by alco539 on Jun 24, 2012 5:06:10 GMT -8
Don, very impressive list of Heathkit projects. I built the GD-1150 Ultrasonic Cleaner as well. It "gave up the ghost" about ten years ago. I think I over worked it, because it had a 80% duty cycle or something like that, and I pushed it too hard. In the "phone company" we would call you a "heavy duty" for building a TV. The most difficult project for me was the RP-1065 train control TAT. It still works good, but as this thread shows it's days maybe numbered, LOL. I'll still need it and the MRC control, because my DC loco's far out number the DCC. Regards Charley.
|
|
|
|
Post by umtrrauthor on Jun 24, 2012 11:48:47 GMT -8
One thing I've found out the hard way, is when doing work on another part of the layout while a train runs elsewhere, is when I accidently laid my arm, with the watch on it across the rails, it shorts out and the watch band gets HOT , quick!! I resemble that remark! |
|
