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jprampolla

Hi Folks, Well I built the project and ended up winding my own toroid: http://www.josephrampolla.com/hfactotrack1.jpg However, am not getting the same result as the commercial unit. Without the proper electronics background and an oscilloscope, I can't troubleshoot it, but I am getting the neon bulb...

jprampolla

Hi Ludi, Again, thanks for that tip and prompt help. I saw this on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pot-Core-18x11-Bobbin-2x-Set-Kit-Magnetics-F-AL-4000-F41811UG-Ferrite-/261585024927 http://www.josephrampolla.com/core.jpg So, I might try that. Will keep everyone posted! Take care, Joe.

jprampolla

If my memory serves from the previous thread, the purpose of this circuit was to power the tracks from DC output via DC in, but if continuity is lost due to dirt on the track, the sudden interruption of DC current through the inductor will set up a basic switchmode oscillation through the transform...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, Everyone has been very helpful to me with my unusual problems. I am revisiting the HF AC model railroad track cleaning circuit that I needed help with a couple years ago. I have been given the correct circuit, finally. The little transformer in the circuit is hand wound on a ferrite core t...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, Thanks, everyone, for the help!!!!!!!!!!! Next time I order stuff, I will buy some zeners of different ratings and fool around a little with them. I have a selection somewhere, but don't recall the values. The relays are miniature or even sub miniature PC mount types. I buy most of my comp...

jprampolla

If you are able to easily cut the DC and apply AC to the rails to try and trigger this thing, seems to me it would be pretty easy to just reverse the polarity of the DC to the rails instead? Problem solved! But for backward compatibility, AC on the rails is the standard. Presently that is how I rev...

jprampolla

just brew it! wrote:
As noted previously, the zener voltage needs to be (desired trip voltage) - (voltage needed to activate the relay). A zener voltage of 10V will not activate the relay until the voltage hits 16V or so.

Hi Just Brew It,

So is it just a matter of using a zener at a lower rating?

Take care, Joe.

jprampolla

Hi Liquidsquid, Thanks for the info!!!! In theory, what I would be doing is running the loco at about 6-7 volts and it would be going forward. To reverse it, I would cut power to the rails, turn the supply to 10 volts Ac or whatever, then apply power to the rails. Assuming the relay would kick in no...

jprampolla

Hi Everyone, Again, very much appreciate all the help and the ability to kick these ideas around!!!!!!!!!!! Here is what I tested back in April 2013: http://www.josephrampolla.com/reversing%20circuit.gif I wanted a compact, cheap, simple, homemade alternative to a manufactured reversing board. I cou...

jprampolla

Hi Just Brew It and LASR, Thanks for the replies! I experimented with a zener diode and a relay a while back, but I gather I didn't have the correct combination or didn't have it oriented correctly. (I do understand regular diodes and use them for polarity techniques and the "snubber" effe...

jprampolla

Hi Duct Tape Dude, Thanks for the reply! I was looking at this one: http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/1958641.pdf to see if I understood the drop out voltage issue, but if lower voltages get past the chip, then it won't work for me. I will look into a BJT or FET. I have used basic transis...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, A quick question about a voltage regulator chip -- If the regulator is designed to produce a consistent 9 volts and it is supplied about 6 volts, does any voltage get past the chip? I would like to activate a relay only if the supply voltage goes above 9 volts, but not have it activate if ...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, Thanks for the help and bulb number. Looking forward to trying it! I have a Christmas tree light bulb tester that beeps when placed over a wire with AC running throught it, and at times I get the beeping indicating AC at a higher voltage. The device doesn't detect low voltages but does bee...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, Still playing with the circuit! Because I don't have a way to test the output, I was wondering if a neon bulb, similar to those in the typical outlet tester, and perhaps like the one that was used in the Relco, could detect the HF AC. Using a regular outlet tester, I can only read a "...

jprampolla

Thanks for the information! I don't know how I ordered the one resistor at 10 watts, but after seeing that tiny transistor, I realized that I they both seemed so heavy-duty by comparison. I will build another one with different resistors and a smaller rectifier, just to keep the circuit more compact...

jprampolla

O.k. Folks,

Here are the missing pieces: I was connecting the cap that protects the throttle incorrectly and I also didn't have a little 0.1 mfd cap across the motor's leads. Now, great sparks! And a little tingle on the fingers, too!

Thanks everyone!

Take care, Joe.

jprampolla

Now the 3rd transistor is soldered in place -- no more "testing" to cause a short. :D Would the wattage rating of the resistors make a difference? One is about 3 watts and the other is 10 watts. Should they be balanced? Also, when I hooked up the transistor the wrong way with the 1st and 3...

jprampolla

Thanks for the info! Just now as I was testing the transistor with the handcar on the tracks, I touched a 14 volt light bulb's leads to the transistor leads and I accidentally / temporarily shorted posts 1 & 2 (or 2 & 3), and then I smelled burning as the handcar took off at what would appea...

jprampolla

I just soldered in the new transistor and I cannot really tell if it is doing what it should. Didn't get any shock off of it and when I test the track with DC voltage turned off, I get about less than 1 volt AC on the rails. Was the same with the transistor connected incorrectly. So the only suspici...

jprampolla

Many Thanks! You solved my problem!!!!!!!!!!!! Just tested the multi-meter and it is putting out positive on the negative lead. So I will now rewire the spare transistor the correct way and get back to everyone here. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to solder and test the circuit. Take care, Joe!

jprampolla

Thanks for the reply! O.K., I found a video on YouTube http://youtu.be/b0jCUsenNsY and it says that an NPN transistor should show a reading, with a multi-meter set to ohms, with positive on the base and negative on the emitter. If that is true, then "view A" is correct, the way I did it th...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, Well, I built the circuit, but I don't know if it is working correctly. I wasn't sure of the pin-outs for the BD137G transistor. So I switched the #1 and # 3 positions, and it seems to have done something with a temperamental handcar. http://www.josephrampolla.com/HFACLighting/BD137G.jpg 1...

jprampolla

Thanks, everyone, for the information and suggestions! Just thought I could somehow treat it like a USB storage device and transfer the files/bitmaps. I have the old hard drive, from the computer I used to use with the camera, in a separate case that I sometimes hook up to my laptop to access the ol...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, I have a USB web cam/digital camera from about 2001 that I would like to use with a laptop running Windows 7. I have the original software and updated drives, but I cannot get it to work, even with plug and play. Is there any way to possibly use this camera with a modern laptop? It was a f...

jprampolla

Another trick you could employ is use some larger bipolar electrolytic capacitors inside of the engines and other motorized devices that will keep the motors running long enough to get over the dirty spots. The capacitor needing charge after a dirty spot will certainly wet the track. If you can fit...

jprampolla

As promised, here is the simulation of the circuit. The circuit needs some enhancements to limit the output voltage, and to protect Q1 from damage. It is a little too simple, but at the time of design, this was how designs were done. It needs a means to only turn on when there is a load on V2 (moto...

jprampolla

It is an inexpensive analog multi-meter were you have a knob to set the voltage, either Dc or AC, goes up to something like 1000 VAC on the AC side, if I remember correctly. Has a dial/gauge with a needle.

Thanks, Take care, Joe.

jprampolla

Hi Folks, If I understand the way the circuit operates, when I go to test it, would a normal analog multi-meter be enough to see if it is putting out the HF AC, other than trying to feel the track for a slight jolt or tingle? I assume I would need to have some DC voltage on the right (primary) of th...

jprampolla

Hi Folks, I will place the order tomorrow for the parts, then get the thing together. Shouldn't take too long -- famous last words! Here is a little video of the handcar in action -- gives a better idea of the action and power of that little motor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyT517ZhJ0k&feat...

jprampolla

The motors in my equipment are very simple DC can motors, not expensive, and there isn't any kind of circuit, not even a diode or a capacitor, just the motor connected to wheel contacts, or wheels and center rail wipers for the 3 rail O gauge. Ah, that's modern stuff for me, most of my motors are d...

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