On the technical side of the "world's greatest hobby", I'm missing the boat! Other than very basic train maintenance, you know, some oil here or lithium grease there or re-soldering a light wire that broke off from the roller, the "technical" side of the hobby is something I'd like to learn further but finding articles that simplify the process is not that easy. Here's an example: I had an RS3 diesel die on the track so I opened it up and checked for the usual "culprits" like oxidation issues or indeed any broken or loose wires but then I more of less studied what was in front of me when I could find nothing wrong, at least nothing wrong in terms of any loose wires or oxidation issues [although I applied some tried and true Deoxit [tm] just to be sure] but here's the scenario and where I could use some input from those in the know. It has never bothered me one iota to say, and that includes publicly, "I don't know!" but it's a fact, I just don't know and to cure such a situation, you go to the folks who "do" know and thereby learn and apply their experience and expertise! That said, here is what I saw on the inside of my RS3 diesel -- to the right is a single Pittman motor which says "12 VDC", OK, fine, it's a 12 volt DC motor and then it says on a paper decal attached to it, "8514" and a date of 2-3-89 and a larger red colored "1" on the right terminal which I assume is the positive side of the DC motor. So far, so good. To the left is an approximate 3" X 1/2" chip board with various electronic components and which I again assume is the so-termed DCRU-WD board or the electronic innards, so to speak, that enable the engine to have a neutral, forward and reverse actions ==but== and here is where I miss the boat from a technical standpoint and thus ask for some input or sources that can further explain what's going on but which doesn't require the proverbial MIT credential in electronic sciences to understand!
In effect, all my O gauge transformers are placing "AC" voltage and amperage power to my tracks from 0 to 18 volts AC but WHERE does this "conversion" take place from my 12 volt ==DC motor== in this particular "single can" RS3 diesel so that this DC motor can function on 3 rail track that is powered by AC voltage and amperage? Does the DCRU unit have components that do this conversion in addition to causing the engine to have a neutral, forward and reverse function? In effect, does the DCRU board serve dual functions as both a reversing unit [with neutral and forward] AND a DC to AC conversion to that my 12 volt DC motor power source for the engine can be used on an AC powered track? I don't know ... so I ask. All these years with the train hobby right into retirement yet I'm seriously deficient when it comes to the technical side of the hobby but where better to go for a helping hand than a forum where folks have themselves learned from others and then share their expertise. Any input and/or source citations for further study would be highly appreciated since I want to do more than just very basic maintenance and understand what is going on "under the hood" so to speak and especially how that DC motor [or DC motors PLURAL when the engine has two DC motors] function on an AC powered track. Thank you. --- Doc Tony [email: doctony@hughes.net]
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