I have a Aristo Craft ART-5400 (for g scale)power pach which says it should have DC on the tracks at all time P.W.C. How ever it doesnt seem to be working. It runs the train OK but doesnt keep the lights on when the train is stopped as the booklet says it should. I did get this off of Ebay, so maybe that why it was being sold, or is it possible Im doing something wrong? Thanks for any advice and Happy Thanksgiving
In general terms Pulse Width Modulation (Aristocraft PWC) puts pulses of full voltage traction current onto the rails. Normal motors "see" a voltage proportional to the on/off ratio. If the effective voltage is (say) 1 volt for an output voltage of 12 volts (on 1/off 11) then the motor won't run. However, a lighting circuit with a diode and small capacitor will charge to nearly the full voltage to supply that voltage to the light(s) A directional circuit will have a single diode, a non-directional one will have a bridge rectifier. A normal bulb without the diode/capacitor circuit will light only about as brightly as it would on a 1.5 volt battery.
So:- a: a component in the loco/coach lighting circuit is kaputt. b: your lights are of other makes than Aristo and never had the diode/capacitor circuit. c: your controller is faulty. (doubtful)
This charging/lighting circuit is about as basic as electronics gets on the rolling stock end, so it would make a very good first electronics project.
Greg.P. New Zealand.
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