Large Scale Central

Bridgeworks and TE

Good enough for me…Figured there was a danger. Keep things simple, I’ll pick up another Power G.

Doug Arnold said:
That's exactly the same problem I'm having. I'm very disappointed in Bridgeworks. Aristioraft tried to help.
Wait - I thought you got it going. Did it fail again?

It did. I brought it down to 24 on the Bridgeworks controller and for a couple days it worked fine. Then the link between the remote and the main unit “forgot.” I have not been able to link the main unit and the handheld even though the main unit lights. We use TEs on the club layout with the 10 amp Aristocraft power supplies. They work flawlessly.

Huumm…I run the TE’s with a crest power supply set at 24v and have for years flawlessly, until Hollywood showed up !
:slight_smile:

I had a chance to buy a nice Bridgeworks transformer and I thought it was a good idea. WRONG!

Did Hollywood lay an egg?

Doug Arnold said:
Did Hollywood lay an egg?
Nope....but he did blow a couple of fuses! He did replace them with a box of them which stood untouched until I built my Superliners and them fuses were very helpful until I figured out my issue . ;)

Best bet for the TE is to use a regulated supply with output set to no higher than 24 volts.

And remember some electronics in engines do not want more than 21 volts, so Aristo set the Crest to 22.5 volts and the receiver diode bridge had a small drop, thus leaving 21 volts to the engine/track.

I know maybe one other person in the world is affected by this but Lionel sound equipped loco’s cannot handle more than 15VDC. Remove the sound card if you want to run higher or it’s toast.

I’m “retiring” the almost-new Bridgeworks transformer and installing a 10 amp Aristocraft power supply. Wish me luck!

I decided to “match” my system…I’m rolling the die and getting the Crest “Dual Elite” power supply from Aristocraft. I like the switchable DC levels and the pure DC power. Cannot beat the price either! If it works I may put the MRC units up for sale and buy a couple more. Will let you know how it goes!

Mark V said:
I decided to "match" my system...I'm rolling the die and getting the Crest "Dual Elite" power supply from Aristocraft. I like the switchable DC levels and the pure DC power. Cannot beat the price either! If it works I may put the MRC units up for sale and buy a couple more. Will let you know how it goes!
The dual voltage Elite is what I use to drive my TEs. Works very well, though the engines move more smartly when the Elite is set at 22v :)

I purchased a 10 amp Aristocraft power supply and “retired” the 10 amp new Bridgeworks transformer. The TE worked the first time I linked it. My trains and myself are HAPPY!

Chris Vernell said:
Mark V said:
I decided to "match" my system...I'm rolling the die and getting the Crest "Dual Elite" power supply from Aristocraft. I like the switchable DC levels and the pure DC power. Cannot beat the price either! If it works I may put the MRC units up for sale and buy a couple more. Will let you know how it goes!
The dual voltage Elite is what I use to drive my TEs. Works very well, though the engines move more smartly when the Elite is set at 22v :)
Me too Chris ........we used to use Crest electronics back in my metal band days

Doug
Glad your back in business

It’s sure nice to walk out to the layout and have the TE work without a whimper!

You have two weeks to work out all the bugs!

Yep. And that was the only major one. Now I just need to relevel some track amd reballast. Neither one very important.

Good news Doug. I’m surprised the Bridgeworks was so flaky, but I suppose the difference is that the Aristo is a fixed output supply and you just plug-and-go.

I think you are right. When you meter the Bridgewoeks you can watch the meter jump all over the place. It amazes me that engines run smoothly with it.