Hello:
I have read Shamus article on wiring but he forgot to mention wiring accorries. I suppose I can give you some ideas.
I have found out by experimenting there are 3 main voltages for model railroading. They are:
12 volts dc
5 volts dc
3 volts dc
Why these you ask? Of course, 12v is standard. 5v are for digital electronics. 3v are for items such as LED's. I do not reconmend using the trains power pack. I personally use an old note book computers power supply. It produces a nifty 13.8 at 6.5amps. More than enough to run hundreds of lights and other accorries. I reconmend an Astron powersupply. Advaible at any ham radio store or at Radio Shack.
You can get the 5v and 3v from the 12v source. How can you do it? You can use your electronic and math skills and figure it out and then build the curcit. Or better yet use a voltage regulator. They are 7805 and 7803. They look like over grown transitors. Don't let them scare you. They are very easy to work with. They have an input that can handle up to 18vdc. The middle is ground. The last one is the output. They can only handle about 1 amp of power being drawed by them. You can and is reconmended that you use a heatsink.
Under my table. I ran an uninstallated wire that is used for hanging pictures. This is my common ground. Around the premitor of my table I use bus strips. This is what I connect my power to. If I need to use a voltage regulator. I put that there too.
Remember safty first! Put a fuse on the power supplies positive side!
I know that Shamus has talked about using fiber optics with a 60 watt bulb. I find there is a safty concern about this. If he has it set up simular to a movie or overhead projector? There is alot of heat build up. He would need a fan to cool it off. Another thing I hear is using mechanical mechnisms to change the color of signal lights. These need alot of maintance to keep them running.
I like the use of low dc voltages. They are safe for children to be around. Don't get hot. Unless you overload them.
Over all. I hope this helps new people thinking about making a layout. Also for those of us who are experience. And remember: SAFTY FIRST!!!!!!!
Andy
I have read Shamus article on wiring but he forgot to mention wiring accorries. I suppose I can give you some ideas.
I have found out by experimenting there are 3 main voltages for model railroading. They are:
12 volts dc
5 volts dc
3 volts dc
Why these you ask? Of course, 12v is standard. 5v are for digital electronics. 3v are for items such as LED's. I do not reconmend using the trains power pack. I personally use an old note book computers power supply. It produces a nifty 13.8 at 6.5amps. More than enough to run hundreds of lights and other accorries. I reconmend an Astron powersupply. Advaible at any ham radio store or at Radio Shack.
You can get the 5v and 3v from the 12v source. How can you do it? You can use your electronic and math skills and figure it out and then build the curcit. Or better yet use a voltage regulator. They are 7805 and 7803. They look like over grown transitors. Don't let them scare you. They are very easy to work with. They have an input that can handle up to 18vdc. The middle is ground. The last one is the output. They can only handle about 1 amp of power being drawed by them. You can and is reconmended that you use a heatsink.
Under my table. I ran an uninstallated wire that is used for hanging pictures. This is my common ground. Around the premitor of my table I use bus strips. This is what I connect my power to. If I need to use a voltage regulator. I put that there too.
Remember safty first! Put a fuse on the power supplies positive side!
I know that Shamus has talked about using fiber optics with a 60 watt bulb. I find there is a safty concern about this. If he has it set up simular to a movie or overhead projector? There is alot of heat build up. He would need a fan to cool it off. Another thing I hear is using mechanical mechnisms to change the color of signal lights. These need alot of maintance to keep them running.
I like the use of low dc voltages. They are safe for children to be around. Don't get hot. Unless you overload them.
Over all. I hope this helps new people thinking about making a layout. Also for those of us who are experience. And remember: SAFTY FIRST!!!!!!!
Andy
