Not to my knowledge.
This conversation/thread has been interesting. IMHO
- AC locoās canāt run on DC. Just as visa versa.
- I noted āShadedā relay. I wonder how that works?
- The earlier āpictorialā wiring diagram was good, but when studying it I decided I will have to redraw it to an elecrical schematic to understand.
- The instruction/manual reprint is so small, but I will endeavor to enlarge it for my learning purposes.
- Two more interesting ( 2 me) points on AC locos.
a. The reversing āswitchā (I think it is called a pendulum switch)
b. I worked on a figure 8, two train operation. On stops until cleared for the diamond. They can run independently of any human intervention. Slick. How can they? A current relay of one train signals stop for the other. And they go, round and round, never colliding. - Reference the reversing relay, AC motors can be reversed in direction of rotation due to how they are wired. That is NOT to say reverse the power input leads as is the case of DC motors. In single phase AC motors this is done several different ways.
- Comments appreciated. regards mike endmrw0523251518
Elā¦Iām back. Can you tell me what terminals A, B, C, U are connected to? Reference your diagram. Thanks mike endmrw0523251534
Just for clarification about AC motors running on DC - the motors used in older O gauge AC powered trains are typically a āUniversalā motor with a field winding, armature winding, and commutator. They will run on AC or DC. The direction of operation is reversed by reversing the polarity of the two windings in relation to each other - that is what the E-unit does. Here are a couple of webpages that can explain the operation of universal motors:
James, you are dead on. Guess what, Iāve done that before. When building a fence on property with no AC, Iāve used the automobile electric system. Skil saw was universal. The regulator in auto was disabled and rpm of engine provided higher DC voltage. I ferget dat Iād dun it myself. LOL. Thanks for the reminder and a quick read of universal motors.
BTW Do you know what the āpendulumā / solenoid / reversal mechanism was called. Clever idea and I wanted to use it for DYI turnout controls (only one button = switch to control a turnout. Activate = switch turnout, activate again and reverse of turnout happens. Thanks/regards/mike endmrw0523251812
The E-unit, the reverse unit, or in modern locos with modern locos itās a reverse board (nice new circuitry).
1988, circuit boards/E unitā¦nice for present day. Since this forum is Classic Toy Trains and talks about old equipment, Iām asking. (I had a Marx 027 train set.) I saw the reverse mechanism. It was real simple. Not electronic. Mechanical.
Anyone here know the name for it? I can build one DIY. What was it called? Thanks endmrw0523252013
Oh yes, itās still called an E-unit or a reverse unit. Iāve got three locomotives equipped with E-units, the rest are newer locos with circuit boards.
A solenoid with a ratchet and pawl assembly to alternate the flow of current to the motor via a drum with varying arrangement of electrical contacts and āfingersā.
1 Like
Vocabulary increased. E-unit = reverser. Got it.
- Question: Does this unit have a coil (electromagnet) that pulls a plunger upward and therefore causes an off center arm to rotate into the opposite direction. Yet when repeated (power off then on) it will rotate the arm in the other opposite direction. Each direction will make different electrical connections for fwd or rev.
- I have inquired of this item (E-unit) and someone refered to it as a pendulum. i.e. plunger does have a loose extention that is like a pendulum.
- Does #1 make sense? Are we talking about the same thing? It sure is a clever idea. Thanks mike endmrw0523251047
Rob, could you inform what each terminal is attached to? I am attempting to make a schematic. That would help alot. Although I am studying it try and figure it out. endmrw0524251952
Yes, it does use a coil with a metal plungerāthereby making it a solenoid. I think that the three-position ones use a drum while the two position ones use the off center arm. Iāve read about certain kinds of E-units referred to as pendulums, but I havenāt seen anything else about them.
Yes, I do think we are talking about the same thing. 