Hello everyone. I am about to enter the model railroad scene and the first question I have is about power supplies. I am planning a scratchbuilt N scale layout and I hope to include some lights, small motors etc. Is anyone able to give me some quick advice on power or please point me to a site which may have some tutorials. Thanks
Byron wrote: Hello everyone. I am about to enter the model railroad scene and the first question I have is about power supplies. I am planning a scratchbuilt N scale layout and I hope to include some lights, small motors etc. Is anyone able to give me some quick advice on power or please point me to a site which may have some tutorials.
-------------------------------------------------- This might be helpful:
Bill:
Quick question...
I also tell folks who ask me about house lighting to do the same thing
- buy Christmas tree lights. However, I usually recommend they go ahead and use the power supply provided (unless it only does special effects) since it's rated for the number of lights provided.
Aside from being able to dim the lights - a useful function, are there other reasons you like to use a power pack? This isn't a criticism, just an exploration (always useful) into alternative ways of doing things.
Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" Operating Traffic Lights Crossbucks Special Effects Lighting
For my Z-scale, from electrical point of view not much differend from N-scale, works on 15V direct current with 2 rail system, I use ordinary stable voltage transformers. If amperes become to high, I ad extra trafo's. System designed with lots of differend circuits, so no one transformer is ever connected to another one. E. de Winkel "Byron" schreef in bericht news:40c7e235$0$8984$ snipped-for-privacy@news.optusnet.com.au...
Mike=A0Tennentwrote: snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Bill) wrote:
- buy Christmas tree lights. However, I usually recommend they go ahead and use the power supply provided (unless it only does special effects) since it's rated for the number of lights provided. Aside from being able to dim the lights - a useful function, are there other reasons you like to use a power pack? This isn't a criticism, just an exploration (always useful) into alternative ways of doing things.
----------------------------------------------------- Mike, leaving the Christmas tree lights intact and using the power supply provided would be using house current (unless the lights have some low-voltage x-former). There would be more lights than most people would need on their layout (altough I have 222 lights). They'd be too bright (unless a dimmer was used). The distance between the lights would not be "adjustable" since they would be left intact (as purchased).
For some reason, I never felt safe using 115v current anywhere on my layouts. If one were to accidentally cut into the wires while working under the layout, there would be a fire hazzard.
I like using the power packs since I always have several "trainset" packs on hand. The cabinet work has already been done (for a neater appearance) and the brightness is easily controlled. I find that visitors sometimes like to see bright lights! And, of couse, the circuit breaker makes me feel more comfortable.
I hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask me questions.
Mike, your Iron Penguin products are really neat. They can provide some really desirable effects. You can be proud of your efforts!
Bill Bill's Railroad Empire N Scale Model Railroad:
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