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#Post#: 877--------------------------------------------------
fixed voltage supply to 022 switches
By: alanm Date: December 17, 2014, 7:30 am
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I'm putting six 022 switches in a post war o gauge layout and
want to supply fixed voltage to power them. I'm using a KW
transformer and there are two choices for the fixed voltage.
Terminal C supplies only 6 volts which is insufficient to
operate the switches. The other choice is terminal D that
supplies 20 volts. The instruction manual for installing the
switches says to use terminal D but has an * note by it that
says "If voltage obtained from D post of KW transformer is too
high, add an adjustable 10-ohm , 25-watt resistor.
When supplied from terminal D, the switches operate fine and the
lights are bright. My question is: How will I know if "the
voltage from the D post is too high"? I have measured it to be
19 volts with the 6 switches installed. I don't want to damage
the switches with too high voltage. Thanks in advance for any
help or advice.
#Post#: 878--------------------------------------------------
Re: fixed voltage supply to 022 switches
By: TrainLarry Date: December 17, 2014, 8:11 pm
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Welcome to the forum!
I doubt that 20 volts will harm the switch motors, as they are
receiving power for only a fraction of a second when energized.
When these switches are used in a command control environment,
they are subject to 18 volts of power from the command system
setup. The only components that would be stressed would be the
bulbs in the switch machines and the controllers. I would
recommend replacing them with long life, cool operating LED's.
These are drop-in replacements for the bulbs, either screw-in or
bayonet type.
(HTM) http://www.autolumination.com/trainbulbs_leds.htm
(HTM) http://www.autolumination.com/trainbulbs_leds.htm
If you are running only 1 train with the KW transformer, you
could use the 'B' throttle to operate your switches, and adjust
it to a lower voltage in the 14-18 volt range.
Another option to think about would be to get another
transformer just for your switches, like a 1033. Properly phased
to the KW, you could again dial in any voltage to operate the
switches smoothly and consistently.
Larry
#Post#: 879--------------------------------------------------
Re: fixed voltage supply to 022 switches
By: alanm Date: December 17, 2014, 10:59 pm
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Thank you for the advice and link to the source for the bulbs,
but I need a solution before arrival of the grandkids next week.
Today I moved the leads for common or ground from U to C on the
KW. That resulted in 14 volts instead of 20 at terminal D for
the fixed supply to the switches. They operated fine and the
bulbs were not nearly as bright as when the 20 (19) volts were
being supplied. However, the problem with this setup was that
the variable voltage to the two trains was too low to operate
them normally.
I thought about using another transformer for the switches, but
could not decide where to hook the common or ground lead of the
second transformer. Would I connect it to the U terminal on the
KW?
Your other suggestion to operate the switches from one of the
two variable supplies might also be the answer. Instead of
operating two trains on separate loops, I can put them both on
one variable supply to operate one train at a time and use the
other side for the switches. If I can't use another
transformer, this will probably be the best solution for now.
Thanks again.
#Post#: 881--------------------------------------------------
Re: fixed voltage supply to 022 switches
By: TrainLarry Date: December 18, 2014, 5:05 am
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When using a separate transformer to power the switches, the
ground lead must be connected to the same ground as the
transformer for the track, ie; an outside rail on your layout.
The transformers must be phased together properly when doing
this.
Larry
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