I have some Märklin gear from when I was a kid that's now approaching
the time when it may be appropriate to hand it on to the next
generation. However, I've lost the transformers (I had two, in separate
circuits to catenary and rail). As I see it, I have two choices:
1) Shop around for replacement transformers (new or used).
2) Build something myself (the EE in me rather likes that idea). However, regulating AC is a pain and variable transformers of suitable specs are hard to come by. But I could scrounge up a two-circuit DC system from spares at next to no cost. A separate feed for lights and points would be easy (and could quite feasibly be AC if needs be; I can see how some of the solenoids might not work "right" on DC).
So what's the verdict? AC motors should run quite happily on DC (the converse is, of course, not true; running a Fleischmann train on AC will probably fail). But will parts wear faster on DC? Any sparks from poor contact (and I remember seeing them quite often) will be more likely to spot-weld on DC. Experiences, anybody?
/Torsten
1) Shop around for replacement transformers (new or used).
2) Build something myself (the EE in me rather likes that idea). However, regulating AC is a pain and variable transformers of suitable specs are hard to come by. But I could scrounge up a two-circuit DC system from spares at next to no cost. A separate feed for lights and points would be easy (and could quite feasibly be AC if needs be; I can see how some of the solenoids might not work "right" on DC).
So what's the verdict? AC motors should run quite happily on DC (the converse is, of course, not true; running a Fleischmann train on AC will probably fail). But will parts wear faster on DC? Any sparks from poor contact (and I remember seeing them quite often) will be more likely to spot-weld on DC. Experiences, anybody?
/Torsten