- SeaSon'S GreetingS -
Glenn asked a fine question about keeping the voltage low enough to
avoid worry. John Gasal came up with a great suggestion of putting
a bridge rectifier in series with one transformer lead. Use AC pins
on the bridge for current in and current out, short the + pin to the
- pin. This gives 1.6 V drop per bridge put in series with the AC
termianls on the transformer.
Yes, I have tired out a transformer or two. Looks like I need to
measure the wire gauges, lay in a small supply, and set up the lathe
to count the old windings, secondary and primary, as they come off,
then count the new ones as they go on.. I have one old 100 W tranny
that used to run a pair of 7 or 8 hr days at a show with no problem.
Now it is too hot after 1 hr.
Somewhere, likely a ham radio fleamarket (hamfest), I bought a control
transformer for industrial use, rated at 16 VAC, about 200 VA (over
10 A). This has run most or all the accessories at several shows
without getting more than 10 or 20 F higher than the ambient temp.
It is fused and at least twice fuses have blown because of a mis-
wired accessory. Keep the accessory current out of the transformer
and have longer transformer life.
For problem chasing and for getting information about a locomotive
or accessory, a clamp-on ammeter snapped around one wire in an active
AC circuit will tell you the current demand. Find one with a 6 A or
lesser range for equipment operating properly. A 12 A to 60 A range
may be needed for trouble shooting. Number one electrical help wizard
at train shows, good wife Joanna, gave me the RS version of clamp-on
AC ammeter for Christmas maybe 8 - 10 years ago.
CheerS and Merry ChristmaS.
Rhett
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