Comments on: Voltage Reducer On RR Layout? https://blog.model-train-help.com/2009/05/voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout Model railroads and model trains Mon, 26 Nov 2012 01:24:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: boodrochas@aol.com https://blog.model-train-help.com/2009/05/voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout.html#comment-291 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:19:06 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2009/05/voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout.html#comment-291 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!!!!!

]]> By: Tony P https://blog.model-train-help.com/2009/05/voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout.html#comment-275 Fri, 22 May 2009 03:31:13 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2009/05/voltage-reducer-on-rr-layout.html#comment-275 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

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