 |
|
|
|
MARCH
2002 INDEX
Uniform Speed
by Burns Manufacturing
 The
problem of not being able to maintain uniform speed around
the layout is very simple to correct. The solution is to
construct blocks by replacing the steel pin in the center
rail with a fiber pin at both ends of the block. The newly
created block must not have any power connections to the
center rail. The new block is thus not powered. Selecting
the proper voltage to be connected to this new block will
cause trains to speed up or slow down. The highest voltage
will go to the uphill block and the lowest voltage will
go to the downhill block. Level blocks should receive a
voltage somewhere between the uphill block and downhill
block voltages. Block length is determined by the length
of hills and level areas.
The center rail of the uphill block receives
power directly from the transformer terminal.
Train speed on the remainder of the layout
will be determined by the throttle setting
for this block. All other blocks receive
power, which has been reduced by a wirewound
resistor for each block. It will be necessary
to try different wirewound resistor values
and different uphill block speeds to achieve
success. Try (2) 1 Ohm, 10 Watt resistors
(Radio Shack 271-131) in series for the
downhill block and 1 resistor for the level
block. The resistors get hot during operation.
A 10 Watt resistor will handle a drop of
4 volts with a maximum load just under 3
Amps. For a drop of 2 volts, the maximum
load is just over 4 Amps. The formula is:
Watts = Voltage drop x Amps.
Resistors with higher power ratings are
available from electronics suppliers such
as Hosfelt (888/264-6464).
Please exercise caution to ensure that
resistors in everyday use are of sufficient
power ratings. A resistor with an insufficient
power rating is a potential fire hazard. Incorrect
installation of the above-described modification
may cause damage to equipment.
©2000 Burns Manufacturing. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
BURNS MANUFACTURING
P. O. BOX 5301
ROCKY POINT, NY ll778
Tel. 631/821-1644
|
|
|
| |
|
