DC trolley power

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I got this from Jim by e-mail. As is my custom, I will answer it here.

Hi Bob

I an earlier post you mentioned a Radio Shack pice to change the AC to DC. This
is my situation, I have a DC trolley and would like a small easy way to change
the AC to DC to operate the trolley with out getting out the #15 Rectiformer.
Could you please give me some instructions and parts list to make it.

Thanks

Jim Sturgeon(Phish)

Jim, I think that all you will need is a bridge rectifier and a DPDT switch for reversing. This 4-ampere 50-volt rectifier should be fine for a trolley:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062580&cp=2032058.2032230.2032269&fbc=1&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FRectifiers&fbn=Type%2FRectifiers&allCount=21&parentPage=family

You could go with a higher current rating to increase the safety margin. A higher voltage rating is harmless, but won’t give you any benefit. Here is one suitable switch:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062537&cp=2032058.2032230.2032278&pg=2&parentPage=family

Here are the switch terminals:

1 2 3
4 5 6

Connect the rectifier’s ~ terminals to the transformer. Connect 1 to 6 and to the rectifier’s + terminal. Connect 3 to 4 and to the rectifier’s - terminal. Then connect 2 and 5 to the rails. (I assume we’re talking American Flyer.)

2

Bob,

Thanks!!![bow]

I should of mentioned it was for American Flyer. I will be going to Radio Shack tomorrow!

Jim

3

The mention of the “rectiformer” gave it away!

4

Bob,

I used your plan and made the AC to DC converter. It works great. Here are some pictures

Circuit

Circuitn box

What it looks like. Still need to lable and changed the hex nuts to knurled nut

On the test track

Thanks again Bob

Jim

5

Jim, thanks for taking the time to post all of that. It’s really nice to see how a suggestion turns out; and your implementation of it seems to have turned out great!

6

Here is a pic of the final product with lables

Jim