How to eliminate buzzing noise on Automatic Flagman

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I have a Lionel Automatic Flagman accessory on my layout triggered by an insulated track section. It works fine but the unit buzzes every time the flagman moves forward. Is there any way to reduce or eliminate the buzzing sound?

2

You can try running it on DC. What are you using to power it, and how exactly is it all connected now?

3

Go to Radio Shack and buy a bridge rectifier, #276-1152. Cost: $1.59. The directions on the package will show how to hook it up. That will convert the AC to DC and stop the buzzing. I installed the bridge rectifier under the roof of my Gateman.

Earl

4

Hi Bob,

At the moment the Flagman is connected to 14 volts directly from a ZW and the common is connected to a couple pieces of isolated Atlas NS track. If I use DC in what sequence do I connect a bridge rectifier and what size do I use? Do I also need a relay?

Bob

5

I assume we’re talking about the number 45N “Automatic Gateman”, which I believe has two terminals.

Connect the + and - terminals of the rectifier to the two terminals of the gateman. Connect the ~ terminals of the rectifier where you had the gateman formerly connected, that is, to one of the ZW terminals and to the control rail of the track. The 1.4-ampere bridge mentioned may be big enough, but I would spend 40 cents more for the 4-ampere one to be sure:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062580

6

Thanks, Bob. I’ll give that a try. Since it seems many of the (two-terminal) Lionel accessories operate this way can I use the same wiring approach using the rectifier you suggested and wire them all up this way or are there enough differences from one to the other that this approach won’t always work?

Bob

7

Any accessory that is simply a coil that moves something from one place to another should qualify for this treatment. There are some with a lamp as well, like the 145, that are a little more complicated to convert to DC; but that can also be done, in several ways, depending on the transformers or other supplies available and how one wants the accessory to operate.

8

Thanks for your help.

Bob

9

ballastbob,

One thing about running coils like this at a given voltage on DC is that they heat up faster than they would at the same voltage on AC. Try to lower the voltage and avoid leaving the flagman activated for extended periods of time.

10

Good advice, Jim. Thanks

11

What Jim says is certainly true. But I wouldn’t want you to get the impression that there is anything to worry about in running the accessory on DC at an appropriately low voltage. The force produced by the coil and the heating due to the coil resistance depend only on the current, whether AC or DC. So, if you set the voltage to produce just enough current and force to operate the accessory, that voltage will be lower for DC than AC, but the coil will get no hotter. Actually, it might run just a tad cooler on DC, since there will be no losses from eddy currents induced in the metal parts.