gunrunnerjohn posted:... I guess I need to assemble a "feature list" to try to come up with all the ideas and then see how to fit them into a module.
Yes, I think a one-size-fits-all AC-to-DC converter might be one of those "Jack of all trades, master of none."
On the layout track-side application, the 2 AC-to-DC applications that come up most often are:
Case 1. Insulated rail triggering of a DC relay or DC circuit for red-green signaling.
Case 2. Using AC accessory voltage to drive lighting such as 4.5V DC for Lemax, Miller, and Menards.
In both cases, the use of an external DC power supply whether it be a DC wall-wart, a PC power supply, or even a spare HO DC power pack seems to be a stumbling block. In other words there seems to be great value assigned to deriving the "new" DC voltage from an AC source already on the layout (track AC or accessory AC). From what I can tell it can be inconvenient to scrounge up a spare AC outlet and/or running the extra wiring. So be it.
For case 1, there are off-the-shelf alternatives as I show in this posting.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...74#40004359986239674
They are $10 and up. The above post has your DIY schematic but I think putting it all together is not in everyone's comfort zone. The off-the-shelf alternatives all "suffer" from limitations of one sort or another...such as not have the DCS inductor if powered from DCS command voltage, or lacking sufficient capacitance to demote flickering from dirty wheels/track. So there is room here for a better mousetrap. IMO what would bring something new to the party would be a non-relay version of the Lionel 153E that perhaps uses transistors to switch DC to the 2 outputs (red/green) which would allow a smaller form-factor.
For case 2, the Chinese alternatives on eBay ($3-4) make it nonsensical to even try! The only missing piece would be a way to mate the DC-DC converters that have the digital LED voltmeter display to the AC track voltage or AC accessory voltage...without having to solder. In other words how much value-added (i.e., how much can you charge) to attach a bridge rectifier?!
So again, I think the more interesting problem is in rolling stock. The largest application there has been for bulb-to-LED conversion which of course requires AC-to-DC conversion. Frankly the Hennings module goes a long way in that regard. So what's left to be done? I don't have the answer but I think it lies somewhere between Hennings AC-to-DC module and what you get in an ERR command-control module. In other words, operating rolling-stock that needs more than the ~50mA of current from a Hennings module but not limited to TMCC command control like an ERR module. Yes, this may be cutting it so fine that there's nothing left to grab on to but that's all I've got for now!
