Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [model-railroad]

12 questions
14
votes
3 answers

What is a good approach to detecting distance and speed in model railroads?

Up front I must admit to little hands-on knowledge of modern microcontrollers and their software - I know power engineering and big motors much better (45 years of it). Now, my question: Trying to get grandchildren enthused about electronics. They…
Seemingly So
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7
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1 answer

How to re-magnetize a permenent magnet motor of small size (model railroad)?

I have several small DC motors where if I place an extra magnet to back-up the included magnet, the performance seems to improve significantly. These motors are 30-40 years old & their performance is degraded. I've been told that it's possible to…
R. Grady
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7
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3 answers

Adding capacitor to model railway 12V motor to keep it going over a dead spot

I have read that you can add a capacitor to a model loco to keep it going over a dead spot on the track - not DCC - just DC. Is this accurate? On one forum someone has been experimenting with 2000mF 12V DC polarised capacitors. However what happens…
smokeyone
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5
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1 answer

Drawn out question in regards to DC power to battery backup

Story: I have a lego train that is modded to run off of a 9v train track rail system that was a control function of 0 to 9 volts when fully on. LEGO does not make the motors that can run on these rails ( such as a regular model train does) and thus…
Poe
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3
votes
2 answers

Converting 12VDC to 1.5VDC

How do I convert 12vdc to 1.5vdc for flashing mini-lights on my HO Scale Railroad system? The flasher will drive 2 alternately flashing bulbs (1.5 volts each) The maximum output of flasher is 100mA @ 12vdc.
Vince
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2
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2 answers

Motor Control System for LGB Trains

I am currently experimenting with some motor control circuitry for my garden train. I have spent several time trying to read up on the basics of motor control, and I have also done some prototyping. I have finally settled on a design, but I have a…
David Pettersson
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2
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2 answers

LED color changing circuit using power cycle

I'm trying to design an LED circuit for a model that will allow me to change the color of a bi-color LED each time the power is cycled. In other words: Power off: Nothing Power on: Green Power off: Nothing Power on: Red Power off: …
user37792
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Short circuit protection for an analog model train controller

I am developing a circuit for somebody else to control 3 analog DC model trains. I am unsure how I should make the short circuit part. There are more ways to achieve this. My idea is as follows: 1 single 12V DC power supply is used to supply power…
bask185
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1
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2 answers

Can I control a model train with a lighting dimmer pack?

I have an O-scale 3-rail track model train. I would like to be able to control this with a computer. The normal model train transformer/controller goes from 0VAC at "stop" to 18VAC at "full speed". My questions are: 1 - Could I technically control…
Brandon
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1 answer

DC automatic polarity inverter

I'm putting a Raspberry pi zero on a model train. The train tracks supply 12V DC which I step down to 5v with a Pi Jack. However, because the power is being supplied via the tracks, I can't be certain of the polarity of the DC power. How can I…
Gregology
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1 answer

Zener diode question in simple LED circuit with anti-flicker for model railroad

I am a total novice when it comes to electronics. I had a simple circuits class 30 years ago as a software undergrad. I've designed a simple LED lighting circuit for N-scale model railroad, to be used to light passenger cars. The circuit includes…
chadbag
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1 answer

Need help determining smoothing capacitor(s) for rectifier

I am making a rectifier for a single N-Scale train building. It takes DC, but the train controller gives out 19VAC. I have 4 1N4001s and some capacitors, but probably not the right size/uf. I only need to make the 19VAC into 19VDC for this one…
Troy Osborne
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