Model Railroad
Power Supplies:
I am adding various types of Direct Current (DC) model railroad
power controllers here to show the various types available, especially if
you have no intention at the moment to convert to
Digital Command Control. Each
controller has it's purpose and usefulness, some better than others. I encourage you
to investigate and try various controllers at your hobby store prior to
making an investment.
What is Direct Current?
Direct current is the type of power obtained from a
battery, a DC power supply or from a train controller. A battery supplies a
nice steady constant voltage (until it runs out). A DC power supply uses
something called a rectifier to convert AC into DC and a capacitor to smooth
it out. A rectifier simply takes all the bumps that were under the zero line
in the above graph and inverts them so that they are above the line. The
capacitor stores volts and fills the dips between the bumps making a smooth
voltage. A train controller is similar to a DC power supply but often it
doesn't include a capacitor to smooth it out and you can vary the voltage
manually from 0 to + or – approximately 16V.
Direct Current
Power Supplies / Controllers:
Kato:
Features direction and speed controls, circuit
breaker with reset button and turnout control switch with snap-on socket.
Direct plug-in for Uni-track feeder track or terminal joiner and adapter
cord for connection of feeder track by other manufacturers. Pack includes
separate power adaptor. Works with HO and N Scale. 12V, 1 Amp.
Note: This power pack comes with various
power supply models, the power supply is separate from the controller.
If you are considering purchasing this model power supply, ensure that it
comes with the correct rated power supply, i.e. 240 volts for Australian
use, or 110 volts for North America.
Morley Controllers
(Australia & United Kingdom):
Unique
to Morley Controllers, the Vector (available in Australia
already converted to 240 volts), is designed with an
on board heavy
duty points
Capacitor Discharge Unit (HD/ CDU).
When used with
a correct momentary switch it will activate the points motor giving it a
positive, short burst. Being of short duration it prevents motor burn
out.
A "points CDU ready" yellow LED indicator is situated on
the front panel.
The screen-printed front panel gives perfect indication
of the settings
of switches and
controls,supported by LED
indicators,a
dual LED for
power and direction,plus the CDU LED.
Centre off power controls, provide locomotive direction
change, together
with perfect, smooth control at slow speeds, as well as fast. A 12 volt uncontrolled accessory output is provided with
protection from a 1 amp circuit
breaker.
Two hand held units are
included with centre off controls
providing power and direction
change.The length of cable
on each unit is 2.5 metres. Output connections are by a Screw Type
PCB Terminal Block. A
Cooling Fan is fitted on all
Australian and NZ models.
Desk type dark grey case with
sloping aluminium front.
Fully tested and guaranteed
for 5 years.
Twin track controller manufactured from
quality components
Components tested to 105 degrees
centigrade.
Suitable for N,HO,OO and all small gauge
layouts.
Outputs:2 x 12 Volts DC at 1.1amps
protected,both controlled
1 x 12 Volt DC accessory protected by 1amp
circuit breaker.
Locomotive direction change by centre off
power control.
On-board Capacitor Discharge Unit (HD/CDU)
for points motor operation.
Fan cooling on Australian and NZ models.
Crest Train Engineer:
The Train Engineer walk-around wireless
control system is ideally suited for backyard garden railroads and can be
used for DC indoor/outdoor railroads of any size or gauge. No modification
to the locomotive is required. It use a 27 MgHz multidirectional FM signal
with Pulse Code Modification (P.C.M.) that eliminates any outside signal
interference. It operates off of your normal power pack: just connect the
receiver unit into existing wiring between the track layout and your power
supply. The Train Engineer gives you wireless control of your train within a
300-foot circle of the receiver unit and maintains all the functions of your
power pack while enhancing performance. Additionally, five accessories can
be operated with the purchase of the remote accessory unit, so that switches
and lights can be turned on and off remotely.
Crest Basic Train
Engineer:
Simplified version of Train Engineer, again,
designed for large (G) scale modelling. A wireless radio control system for
all DC electric trains. Includes one transmitter and one receiver.
This unit comes in a G scale train set supplied by
Aristocraft Trains.
Crest Train Engineer Revolution:
The Aristo-Craft Revolution is a wireless control setup that communicates
directly between the handheld "throttles" and the loco-mounted "decoders".
The communication is at 2.4 GHz. The system uses local memory to control up
to 50 locomotives.
Download the Crest Train Engineer Revolution 2.4 manual
here.
