Could I use a dimmer like this one to control power from an 18 volt transformer to use as a walkaround throttle?
wirelessly or wired to the transformer?? Might work, never tried it. I know you can use those to dim lights for train house and such, I dont see why not to down throttle and up throttle. Sounds like a lot of wiring to do that. thanks.
I’ve done it, it works, but I rarely have a use for such a contraption anymore(since the CAB-1 was released).
You MUST use the dimmer to control the 110/120 side of the transformer. I CANNOT recommend doing it though, this is not an intended use for the dimmer and mucking around with it can be DANGEROUS enough to kill you.
That said, the fan speed controls work better for this type of application. I’ve used the rotary type(works backwards, though - turn right to slow) and the slide type(very nice).
Rob
I’m just looking for ideas for a way to control trains away from the control panel. If I got a TMCC CAB-1, a PowerMaster, and a cable, it would cost about $130 plus shipping from Charles Ro. I’m a teen modeler and I don’t really get much money so I’m trying to find the cheapest way possible to make this work.
Is there some way to reverse the fan switch so it wouldn’t be backwards?
There is a way, but you would have to rewire it internally. The sliders are much nicer.
Your tether would have to be 120 volts, like lamp cord or better. Another danger. The whistle/horn & bell buttons would have to remain on the panel, unless you want to tether another bundle of wires that would have to be even heavier gauge to carry track power to the handheld & back to the track connections, unless you want to carry around a 5-10 lb. control box.
A specialized power supply is better suited for when you need big power - like 300-600 watts(15-30 amps & up) per power district. Using the dimmer to control the primary side of a step-down transformer will give you the speed control, but you will want direction, whistle/horn, & bell control too.
What you really want is/was made by MRC: the AH101B Dual Power O27… 270 watts, with up to two handheld throttles/channels, with full walk-around memory(you unplug the throttle and walk to the next jack, plug it in & continue operation) that uses common phone jacks for expansion. They come up on eBay a lot, & for a fraction of their original cost - quite a bargain when you consider they have the power of two PM-1 PowerMasters. Additional remotes come up for about $10-$20 at auction.
Rob
I have my transformers–two Lionel Zs–on a little cart that was made for what used to be considered a portable television set. It is about 12 x 20 inches and has large casters. It connects to the layout with an 8-foot cable. It’s certainly not a handheld control; but you might find that something like that will do the job for you.
The dimmer will probably work if used, as was said, on the 120-volt side of the transformer. However, it will produce almost exactly the same odd waveform from your transformer that a CW-80 puts out. I definitely would not use it to power a CW-80 or a similar modern “transformer” however. You will need to do a very good job of insulating the dimmer in any case. The safest arrangement might be to put it in what is called a “handy box”, with a good cable clamp on it. You should be able to reverse your train, just by turning the thing off and back on.
SRC dimmer switches work fine with postwar transformers as long as you use them on the 110 volt side of the transformer and set the transformer throttle to the highest speed you want. With SRC’s. you get better slow speed control with postwar transformers.
John, you mean “SCR” dimmer, don’t you? (Actually they are usually built with triacs, another kind of thyristor.)