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Voltage Reducer On RR Layout?
Would anyone like to help Larry with this problem?
“I need some help that I hope your readers can furnish. I am redoing a Marklin Z guage layout. The original Marklin transformer #6727 is too clunky and heavy, so I purchased a modified for Z…MRC Railpower 1300 which runs the trains fine. Problem is the AC output for the accessories is -19V. I need 10-12V for the turnouts and lights. Can someone tell me how I can get a voltage reducer to bring the volts down? I was told the lights would run on DC and use a 12Vdc transformer, but what about the currrent/milliwatts? I have 10 house lights that run 12-16V and 10 street lights that are 12V. Can someone help?”
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2 Responses to Voltage Reducer On RR Layout?
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Hi Larry, You can get resistors. BUT….. this could become very complicated and a waste of time and frustration unless you really know your electric. It will be much easier to invest in another transformer thats out put is 12v. And you can always use a spare transformer as a back up, so buy a decent one. If you really want to get into resistors and the like, invest in a good electronics book and get more confused, just kidding, its just not worth it to me, although I have done this before. Remember this is suppose to be fun and you will have enough set backs along the way with out adding to them. Tony P
Larry, Why don’t you look around the house for any unused “wall-wart” transformer left over from one of the many toys and other things that you have bought. Whether the “wal wart” is AC or DC should also be on the wart. Assume AC if not so identified. The voltage and amps and/or wattage are listed on the little black casing. (Watts are amps time volts and you can calculate any one backwards by dividing. – IE 20w at 10v = 2A.)
For lights AC will work and go a bit lower in volts, say 20% or 10V +/-, and the bulbs will last MUCH longer and only be slightly less bright. For example a 12V 1A transformer suppliesy 12 watts and that is the total wattage of bulbs or whatever that should be driven.
I believe that most switch machines need DC. If so, you need a bridge rectifier. Look that up in a browse and you will see how to build (or buy) one easilly. Too long for this forum. If not use the above. You will need both watts and ectromagnetic switch machine supplies should be separate because they give off unique power surges when they deliver a very short burst of power that can harm other equipment.
To help you understand Watts: Volts and Amps a simple analogy is plumbing. Volts is the velocity of the water, Amps is the pressure and Watts is the combined force. A 20A 110V circut at your house is 2200 Watts. A 12V 1 Amp Circut is 12 Watts. The household system can easilly kill you. You do not feel the 12 Watts. Take appropriate care and do not mess with 120V side unless you KNOW what you are doing!!!!!