EZ track turnout power supply

[Jerrys HO]

My turnouts when powered by the EZ command seem to not have enough to operate them. I was wondering would it be advisable to use one of my lionel transformers to power them. They are not w/decoder as I will be lining the switch with a switch.

[ACY]

It would be best to use a power source rated for use with HO trains, the Lionel would be a bad idea.

[Jerrys HO]

Any suggestions as I am going to be powering 8 to 10 switches.

[Jim Banner]

Powering 8 to 10 or even 100 switches takes no more power than powering one, assuming you are throwing them one at a time.  When properly connected, the solenoids that throw the switches draw power only as long as you hold the control button down.

Normally, switches are thrown using a power supply rated around 12 to 16 volts ac or dc at one amp or more.  The solenoids actually draw 3 or 4 amps at those voltages but the overload does not bother most power packs if drawn only for a short time.  That is why your E-Z Command has trouble operating switches - it automatically protects itself from such overloads and cannot deliver more than about an amp and a half.

Your Lionel transformer typically puts out 7 to 14 volts on the track output and around 16 volts on the accessory outputs, if it has them.  The number of amps it puts out is the wattage rating divided by the voltage.  For example, the 35 watt version will put out about a little over 2 amps.  The 50 watt variety about 3 amps.  And a 90 watt one around 6 amps.  If your Lionel transformer has an automatic cutout, by all means use it.  If not, you could add a 3 amp slow blow fuse in series with its output to make it safe even if your wiring develops a short circuit.  Remember that shorts develop more often in switch control wiring than anywhere else on a layout and that even 35 watts, if applied to a single point, is enough to melt plastic and start a fire.

Many modelers use an old dc power pack or a "wall wart" power supply to operate their switches and that too is a good way to go.

Jim 

[ACY]

I think it is easier to just buy an old HO/N power source then to have to worry about starting a fire if something goes wrong if you use a Lionel power source. Like Jim said, you could use it, but you have to be careful.

[Doneldon]

Jerry-

I suppose it matters whether you mean you have 8 - 10 turnouts which are independent of one another or 8 - 10 turnouts which are lined together to, for example, enter or leave a yard. I'll assume you intend independent turnouts since a layout with such a large yard would be pretty uncommon.

You can use any power source which puts out 14 volts AC or DC, give or take a volt or two, at about .5 amps (500 milliamps) to one amp. This can be any power pack, transformer or wall wart which meets the electrical criteria. Neither the brand name, model gauge, scale nor origin of the power source matter in the least. Electricity is electricity, and 14 volts from Lionel is the same as 14 volts from Bachmann, Model Rectifier, General Electric or Panasonic.
                                                                                                                -- D

[Jerrys HO]

You guy's are the best, 15 yrs. ago I was looking into HO but got scared with electrical parts and decided to stay O scale. Now I am going HO I love DCC. As for my transformer the only one I have left besides 2 ollldddd american flyers is my lionel model #ac1803000. On it shows output 18vac/3a p/n 610-2885-020. As for my turnouts they are mostly independent except for 1 entering the yard and 2 in the yard. I can turn down the throttle control for lower voltage. As I said before you guy's are what makes this hobby fun and exciting.Thanks Jerry

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Jerry,

The first line of your first post: "My turnouts when powered by the EZ command..." 

Last line:  "They are not w/decoder as I will be lining the switch with a switch."

How were you doing this? 

I thought the EZ-Command station had no accessories outputs.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[ACY]

He might be tapping into the track power.

[Jerrys HO]

You are correct Joe ,that is why I am asking. My switches are going to be thrown by a switch not thru the dcc command,and since it does not have accessory post I need to power the switches as the track is powered by the command control.

[Jerrys HO]

Sorry Joe I just went back and read it. To clarify myself Acey is right. I tried it and found out it doesn't work and I had that lionel transformer laying around and thought I might ask to see if there were any consequences by doing so. Thanks

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Jerry,

Well, the problem is that the Lionel transformer has a circuit breaker to protect itself, not the circuit it is supplying.

You would need to put a smaller amperage circuit breaker or PTC thermister in series to protect your wiring, controller and turnout coils. 

Not sure which amperage value to use, though the breaker feeding the accessories terminals on the 44212 power pack is rated at 1 amp. 

Hope this helps. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[Jerrys HO]

Thanks Joe. I believe I am going to invest in the 44212. Rather be safe than burn up about 10 switches. Thanks again,Jerry

[Joe Satnik]

Jerry,

Check for personal message (PM).

Joe