Re: Side Question Re: AC/AC Converter

May 03, 2008 8 Replies

"MousePad"


If I was to wire the AC adapter directly to the tracks, ignoring for the
> moment any modifications required to accommodate, would this be asking for
> trouble?
** With DC motors on the model trains how far do you think they will move ?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm......


...... Phil


Well, they would need modification to accommodate the AC.

yes, a wonderful invention called a bridge rectifier.

I do hope the OP isn't serious. Only a fool would modify their trains so they could run on AC tracks.

DCC is all the rage now.

Dave.

And how do you intend to make them go forward and backwards? Use something like an X10 system?

what problem are you really trying to solve?

Some model trains do run on AC and are getting pretty high-tech these days. Have a gander at

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Yep, I remembered therewas some systems around. Shades of not having the room to set up some track and build my own.

Doesn't DCC work over AC? Albeit, not the same AC from a power pack, or from mains.

I have already put one train under radio control, using the rails to supply the radio gear and motors.

for

?

DCC is a pulse width encoded square wave. Normal DC trains are modded to work with DCC. A bridge rectifier converts the square wave into DC for the PWM motor control. A lot even come with DCC encoders built in now. They are still DC motors of course.

Dave.

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