Large Scale Central

Train Engineer Develops an Interesting Problem. Any Thoughts?

Problem Solving
#21

As it is, I have 5 base and one in-cab TEs.

One of the base units is an early 2-channel, 10 amp unit and the voltage steps are very course and can drift. This was probably the first unit I ever got and is now a “stand-by” piece. The other four (including the failed unit) are the 10 channel units of a couple generations, but one has a bad transmitter in that the membrane is toast. I use three of them to run the railroad.

So, I took the fan, as well as it’s power and antenna cables (that already were cut to length and had the appropriate jacks) from the unit that failed the other day and put them on another unit that functions, but who’s cables were cut shorter by the PO and it had no fan. I wasn’t even sure that it worked until I powered it up, and it linked with the transmitter and adjusted voltage, though the PO said it did.

The failed unit can wait for another TE to fail or a TE donation, and I can take the choke and transistor from that piece when the time comes. (There may be more wrong than just the two pieces.) At that time I’ll also get a hot air solderer, because it would be nice to have anyways. Its a PITA trying to unsolder even 555 chips and get all the pins hot at once. A hot air gun makes this easy.

#22

Whiel the 2 channel receiver in the metal frame had a 10 amp fuse, it never went oover 4 amps, and voltage output would decrease at 3.5 amps on both of mine. Never could blow the 10 amp fuse on this unit.

Plastic case 10 channel units can do 10 amps on PWC but only 8 amps in linear but a fan is needed over 3 amps (manual says 5 amps but Lewis posted 3 is better).

#23

I have a black, plastic frame 10 amp receiver unit that came with the two, not 10, channel transmitter with the “five membrane” pad. The receiver is not like the early metal units, but like the later 10 channel units. I don’t think that I’ve ever tried to link it to a 10 channel transmitter. Maybe that would help with the speed steps.

This unit also puts out ~2 volts more than the later units with the same input.

#24

I believe the linking method for the 2 channel transmitter is different than the 10 channel transmitter due to the transmitter differences.

I have both and I only had issues when trying to use the Korean 2 channel transmitter. The china 2 channel china always worked on all but the korean receiver.

#25

Well, as I recall the ones with less then 10 channels aren’t the same numbers. I mean, channel 1 on the 2 channel jobbies is like channel 2 or 3 on the 10 channel jobbies. Something like that. I only have one TE, thanks RJ, so I don’t have to worry about mixing and matching different batches together.

#26

For the electronically challenged, what is 1 uH SMD? I’d be that’s what is wrong with my TE.

#27

For the electronically challenged, what is 1 uH SMD? I’d be that’s what is wrong with my TE.

#28

That would be a small choke, or coil.

#29

SMD indicates that it is a Surface Mount Device meaning it has solder pads rather than leads and mounts to pads on the circuit board unlike leaded parts that mount through holes in the board.

#30

1uH is one micro henry.

Resistors are measured in ohms

Capacitors in farads or micro farads

chokes/coils are measured in henries/microhenries

Current in amps.

power in watts and voltamps (VA)

And of course volts is measured in volts the only straight forward wording.

#31

But, electromotive force (E) is measured in volts.

Current (I) is measured in amps

Resistance ® is measured in ohms

and E = I * R, I = E / R

E I E I Ohm…

#32

What about the rating for MOVs and other energy absorbing devices? Joules…

Also you forgot magnetism in Gauss?

#33

Don’t forget about the mhos. Hardly anyone ever mentions them. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)

#34

I think this thread has drifted to that point. You know. That point where the original subject has been lost and forgotten.

#35

David Maynard said:

I think this thread has drifted to that point. You know. That point where the original subject has been lost and forgotten.

Wonder why?

#36

Not at all.