Happy New Year to all!
Well, my Choo-choos are running around the fo-bah-ate (actually a smidgeon wider) again, much to my 3yo son's delight. I had NO idea that my CSX switcher (blue) was a "Thomas" nor that my LV RS-1 (currently on lease to my short line) was a "James." "Daddy I didn't know you had a Thomas . . . "
So I suppose the utterly anachronistic "Thomas" will stay on the tracks for a while longer :-)
Anyway . . .
I was showing my father my spiffy new control panel (styrene strip schematic with pushbuttons for each switch leg--nothing fancy) and he waxed enthusiastic about a similar panel for his Lionel/K-Line/MTH timplate setup.
With HO dual solenoid motors, I'm using 1/2A, 120VAC/28VDC switches at around 12VDC with good success.
Is that sufficient to operate a Lionel dual solenoid switch motor at
18-22VAC? I suppose I should bring one into work and hook it up to a current probe on the old O-scope . . .We've discussed single-button routing for his yard spurs. That SHOULD in the worst case involve three turnout flips, but could of course involve every switch in the yard ladder, at least after trackwork.
I'd like to be sure I have enough capacity not to weld his switch contacts for at LEAST a month or so . . .
Any thoughts on the typical current draw of the 022 switch motor?
Thanks
Charles