OK, stan2004, (and others) the holiday is about over and I’ll soon be back to work on my layout. Here is the information you requested:
1. The trolley is a MTH (Rail King 30-5142) bump and go
2. the unit will be powered by a Lionel 1032 (75 watts) transformer. During testing I discovered that A-U combination seemed too have so much power that it was difficult to adjust the speed at desired low speed. I switched to B-U and found the speed adjustment to work more easily. I completed the remaining tests using those posts. (Questions about the transformer at the end).
3. How quickly does it stop. At what I believe to be the appropriate scale speed, it stops almost immediately when power is removed (1/4”). I tried at various speeds. At high speed one inch, but i wouldn’t want to run it at such high speed.
4. When at a complete stop it takes only 1/2” to establish enough speed to reverse directions when it bumps the obstacle
5. I have two 153IR Controllers both purchased on eBay. I noticed in another thread that there are different generations of 153IRs. One of mine came with instructions and service info dated 2001. The other had none
6. There will be a station at each end. One is a small Menards with its own LED plug in power; the other aRail King with two small light bulbs (accessory power)
7. So how do we get the trolley to ignore the 153IR when it reverses directions
Other questions (A & B most important
A. Would it be possible to add a third 153IR and have a middle stop with no change of direction
B. I’m using a ZW to power my two mainlines and most if not all accessories. I know that the two transformers must be in phase. Do I run a line between the two transformers or just attach them both to the common buss line. I know that is the U post on the ZW, but I’m confused about the 1032. I’ve read on the forum that with the A-U combination the U post is the center rail and A what I call the ground (outside rail). On the B-U combination which seemed to work best I think I was using U as the center rail. Is that correct?
C. Will there still be fixed auxiliary power available on the 1032. My understanding is that A-B is a fixed 5, and B-C fixed 11. So if I’m using B for variable power how is it possible to also use it as fixed. Avoid the common ground somehow? And a related question what might I want to use it for.
I found the instructions for the IRS2 I don’t think it’s of any use in its current condition but I plan to call them
By the way, I am willing to try my luck at soldering, but not with anything requiring fine detail. I have a serious tremor in my hands.
