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 Posted - July 09 2010 : 12:22:26 PM
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i have a couple of the small gold 3x 4 basic transformers.
As all of you know there is no such thing as a slow/realistic start/stop.
In reading "Easy model railroad wiring" they talk about pulse power transformer that allows slow starts.
I priced one out and beyond my budget.
Isn't there something i could attach to my current transformer, ie diodes, rectifiers, a chip that i could buy from Radio Shak
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 2:28:55 PM
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do they look like this one?
yes that is a REAL crossing bell  Clangs like a champ with it on full power
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 2:40:12 PM
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I get MRC Golden Throttle packs made in the 60s thru the 70s on Ebay regularly for less than $20. They come with pulse power and are very reliable.
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 3:07:14 PM
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do they look like this one?
yes
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 3:09:43 PM
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I has a more modern plastic MRC transformer 
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 4:50:32 PM
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quote:I get MRC Golden Throttle packs
Originally posted by shaygetz - July 09 2010 : 2:40:12 PM
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I have one like the one pictured in the lower left corner, the small one. Works well for me, and the trains really do operate more prototypically using it. Testing rebellious undriven stored engines , though, usually takes full power. 
Jerry in Virginia
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 6:40:13 PM
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so in reading between the lines , no way to modify the gold transformer so that it put out a pulsating D C.
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 9:51:07 PM
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quote:so in reading between the lines , no way to modify the gold transformer so that it put out a pulsating D C.
Originally posted by derfberger - July 09 2010 : 6:40:13 PM
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I'm sure it's just a capacitive circuit, but I'm not an Electrical Engineer, and I don't think they made add-on pulsators to convert existing power packs. If someone knew how, it would be possible to do it. Here's a link to a sight showing the circuitry, can you read it and make one?
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Throttles.html
Now, here's another link, THIS one looks interesting, and you just add it to your current power pack. Or a full-on 18v unit, this will control it.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM
THAT one looks interesting, I may have to try to build one myself. I think I can, I think I can (I'm an Electronics TECH, not Engineer, so i can build it for sure. I know I have some of the parts at work, too. :) )
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 10:02:03 AM
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the extent of my knowledge is black =hot, white=neutral, green=ground
thanks, ii'll see what i can do
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 10:23:56 AM
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quote:the extent of my knowledge is black =hot, white=neutral, green=ground
Originally posted by derfberger - July 10 2010 : 10:02:03 AM
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In Europe , it's Brown = Hot, Blue = Neutral, and Green w/yellow stripe = Ground. Now you've just DOUBLED your AC voltage knowledge!
To further increase your education about DC voltages, here's some tidbits of electronic knowledge :
Red = Plus DC voltages, any level for non-electronic circuits like Fans, etc.
Black = Ground, all DC circuits
DC Electronic circuits, typical :
Yellow = +5 volts
Blue = -5 volts
Orange = +12 volts
Purple = -12 volts
Black = Ground
Those are pretty much the standard Electronic usages of color-coding for DC voltages. Once you start getting into 3v, 9v, 18v, 24v, etc. then I'm not sure what , if any, standard is used. Most of my experience is with DataComm and IT gear, which uses 1 to 3 types of voltages, rarely -5v.
So, that's the Tidbit of the Day for ya. I'm going to print out that parts list for the PWM controller, and see if I can secure the parts for it at work. Could be a fun project. :)
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - February 17 2011 : 7:04:35 PM
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quote:so in reading between the lines , no way to modify the gold transformer so that it put out a pulsating D C.
Originally posted by derfberger - July 09 2010 : 6:40:13 PM
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Yes, you can do it, but it may end up costing you more than it's worth, especially when there are inexpensive MRC units available with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) already built into theirs. I never opened an MRC unit, but I'd be wiling to bet that they use a 555 or 556 timer IC circuit, like this one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-and-dirty-Pulse-Width-Modulation-PWM-Wi/
Again, I don't recommend trying this unless you're an electronics tech type. You could end up destroying engines, electrical shock or worse.
I've been building my own electronics stuff for years, but I don't bother with building my own train controllers. Personally, I like the MRC Throttlepack controllers that Mr. Shaygets pointed out and then my personal favorites, the MRC Tech II 2400 & 2500.
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - February 17 2011 : 8:39:45 PM
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Ha! I didn't realize that this was a vintage thread! 
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - February 17 2011 : 10:32:00 PM
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quote:Ha! I didn't realize that this was a vintage thread!
Originally posted by RDC1Â -Â February 17 2011Â :Â 8:39:45 PM
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Your steam valves operating a little slow this year?
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - February 17 2011 : 11:01:17 PM
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quote:quote:Ha! I didn't realize that this was a vintage thread!
Originally posted by RDC1Â -Â February 17 2011Â :Â 8:39:45 PM
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Your steam valves operating a little slow this year?
Jerry
Originally posted by AMC_Gremlin_GTÂ -Â February 17 2011Â :Â 10:32:00 PM
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Or out of time or something .. I'll try to remember to look at the date next time I'm doing searches here!
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 08:05:49 AM
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well since this has become a vintage thread I'll show off my 4
AHM Got this one from a 2010 garage sale
MRC
Autopulse? Says Troller Corp on bittom & Made in USA 
Tyco! Got this one at a train show Nov 6th
Real cool transformers there, shaygetz Will look for those at shows
Edited by - microbusss on February 18 2011 08:07:12 AM
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 08:15:01 AM
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this is the one i use for testing,best of british so to speak ken
my twin power amp
Edited by - catfordken on February 18 2011 10:29:39 AM
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 09:30:30 AM
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microbuss, that first one by AHM I believe was straight variable DC. When you vary the speed, you should be able to feel the wiper sliding across the coils of a big variable resistor. Not high tech, but they were bulletproof.
The Railpower by MRC is probably a PWM (pulse width modulation) and should operate DC lokies nicely at slow speed. Never seen that model before.
The Autopulse is also probably PWM.
That Tyco model may be PWM as well. Some of the old Tyco transformers were made by MRC.
Ken, that's a nice looking controller there and also probably PWM, since it has the brakes simulator.
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
Edited by - RDC1 on February 18 2011 09:33:22 AM
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 09:42:37 AM
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Incidentally, the reason that PWM operates lokies so nicely at slow speed is because the motor is receiving short pulses at full voltage, so the motor is able to output nearly its full torque. The higher that you turn the dial on the controller, the longer the pulses are, until full speed when the controller provides straight DC at full power.
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 09:49:47 AM
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well I did get the MRC Railpower 1100 in the original box $24.98 from KayBee Toy Store 
If you look at train it's a BN Athern & 3rd car shows the front half of the Polaroid car!
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 10:09:08 AM
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Wow, Kaybee ... are they still in business? That's where I bought my Bachmann PCC trolley years and years ago.
~ Dave
They're ALL toys
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Posted - February 18 2011 : 11:53:53 AM
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KayBee bankrupt & closed as of 2009  Shame really It's where I found a KB Toys truck once
I bought transformer used from somewhere else
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x2f
Switcher
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Posted - February 19 2011 : 1:00:02 PM
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I have been using the copper colored MRC transformers from the 60's and 70's for years now. All my equipment is DC. I have never had a problm with them. I have found any of the MRC transformers to be execellent performers. The pulse power feature is great when running cheapie locomotives that are geared too high.
X2F
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Posted - February 19 2011 : 1:53:02 PM
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| well I could use a better transformer anyway Will look at show next Sat
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Posted - February 19 2011 : 2:43:45 PM
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quote:Wow, Kaybee ... are they still in business?
Originally posted by RDC1Â -Â February 18 2011Â :Â 10:09:08 AM
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KayBee went out of business in Virginia in the late '90's, I think. I was sorry to see it close down, they had wonderful selections of toys and diecasts, I shopped quite a bit there over the years. I think Target was the final nail in the coffin for them around here, better selections and such. Ah well, ce la vie.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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