i have one of walthers new 130ft. turntable. local hobby shop said to use a train set transformer for hooked to dc so you could control speed of turntable. will this work or would ac power be better. ray
I would suspect the motor for the turntable is DC, very much like a locomotive motor. So, you want to run it like a locomotive. AC will not work. Also, you will need a reverser switch (a double-pole, double-throw switch, or DPDT) to control direction. The speed control on the train set transformer will control the turntable speed, too. If the transformer has a reverser, you won’t need the DPDT switch.
You can also wire in a locomotive decoder to run the turntable on DCC.
The instructions for the turntable says 15 volt AC or DC is required at 500 ma (1/2 amp). The motor is a digital stepper type and the speed of the table is not controlled by the input. They suggest 12 volt min and 19 volts max. Some controllers produce more the 19 volts at no load. I have heard some units have been damaged by over voltage. A good plug-in type power supply will work if it is rated at 500ma. Many cheap ones have no regulation. Radio Shack sells 12 volt transformers rated 2 amp that should work. Remember: IF all else fails read the instructions.
AMEN, this is a great unit. There are many good power supplies that have this spec. Go to radio shack or search on line and you can find them for less money than the $299.95 for the TT. ( I have one and will build a supply for it)