Accessory DC Power Supply

You can wire these using  just like the 153 or 450 with 153c contactors or insulated rail sections, substituting your 3vdc power for the AC.

You can also use an IR detector (MTH, Lionel, Z-Stuff)
Joe

In the fine print it says they're compatible with A.C. or D.C.  My friend Justin Case would stick a diode in series with the common lead.

You can start your electrical education very simply. To make direct current from alternating current, the procedure is called "rectification."  You can search the web and find a plethora of explanations on how to do it, including lots of pictures of various wave forms that portray the results in easily-understood diagrams.

The basic component is a 10-cent item (or cheaper) called a diode.

One diode in series with A.C. makes "half-wave" D.C.

Four diodes wired in a so-called "bridge" creates "full-wave" D.C.

Full-wave D.C with a capacitor added creates "filtered" D.C.

That wasn't hard, was it?

To go the other way, the process of making A.C. from D.C is called "inversion."  Next lesson...look up "electrical glossary." It will start to make sense.

Thank you guys!  Think I'm going to take your advise Arthur and start doing some homework...want to understand what I'm doing, not just follow instructions.

You don't need separate toggle switches for each signal unless you want to switch them on/off.  Just hook them up to your DC supply.   For example my AC and  DC supplies are activated when I turn my layout ON.  My turnouts and signals are wired directly to my AC and DC supplies and thus are always ON when my layout is ON.  I have toggle switches downstream of my AC and DC supplies to control accessories as desired.   

If your anticipated DC power requirements are modest, leftover wall warts may suffice.  If your DC requirements are more extensive you might considered a larger regulated DC supply.   Regulated implies it should be a high quality filtered supply outputting pure DC (ie flat line, no ripple).   I use a 33 amp, 12 VDC supply I purchased from Micro Mark for around $60: https://www.micromark.com/12-V...ieaje-QaAlfQEALw_wcB .   Like wall warts, larger DC supplies may require 110 VAC input.  You must observe polarity when using DC supplies.

That is quite a find.

Bob, there are converters to change your transformer AC to DC, if you want to go that route help can be provided.  Or, if you do decide on a separate DC power supply, shop around.  There are many adjustable DC wall warts on the market giving a variety of voltage selections.(3 to 12vdc) Additionally, something bigger on the amperage side (30 amp) can be cheaper also.  Just found this one from a US supplier on ebay as an example.  Click on image for larger view.  I use one of these 12vdc-30amp devices myself, and vary the voltages I need to the task at hand.

Is there an example of "converters to change your transformer AC to DC" other than diodes?

On eBay I bought a near-new computer DC power supply to feed track power through three adjustable buck converters to three trolley lines on my layout. Works great, and the trolleys run better at slow speed with DC.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

Use the search term “AC-DC to DC buck converters” in ebay for example.  You’ll get a lot of hits.  Pick the one you like.  As Mike Mottler says a used PC power supply can be had for cheap or maybe free if you have an old computer laying around.  I use one of those for a bench supply.  It has taps for 12, 5, and 3vdc.

This DIY device was designed by OGR member Rod Stewart for a small dc power supply on our layouts.  Pictured is the narrow version.  The write up is in the forum electrical-reference-materials-andamp-manuals

Thanks, TedW. The lightbulb in my head is burning a bit brighter.

Breakout boards are cheap, reliable, and hook right up to an old computer power supply.  I have both of these, but there are many others.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

John

I have to admit I'm still lost...I think I really need to better educate myself on the basics...if for no other reason than to be able to teach my little man.  I suspect this is easier than I'm making it.  Now thinking about power to street lights, etc

Thank you all!

Keep it simple.  This all started because you bought a couple of LED signals that require DC.  Buy a 12 VDC supply and hook your signals up.  You will learn a lot by just doing that.  I would recommend buying a DC supply big enough to allow growth.  You never can have too much power.

Good advice Steve, thank you.  I think I'll do just that.  At this point learning and understanding is the more important goal while still getting them working for my little man to enjoy.  Again really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond.

Doesn't everybody have a box of old wall-words sitting somewhere? Several of them are very likely 12VDC. They are all labelled.

@shorling posted:

Keep it simple.  This all started because you bought a couple of LED signals that require DC.  Buy a 12 VDC supply and hook your signals up.  You will learn a lot by just doing that.  I would recommend buying a DC supply big enough to allow growth.  You never can have too much power.

I agree Steve, there is never enough power.  Trying to incorporate these Krell Power Meters from Forbidden Planet into my layout.

Chris S.

Thanks again for all replies awhile back...I did more homework and came up with this wiring diagram.  Tested one of them this weekend and it worked...little victories!

These were formerly imported from China and sold by an eBay seller named Wehonest. They may still have them. I bought a bunch of them 18 months ago along with dwarfs and control circuit boards--all from Wehonest on eBay. I don't recall pricing but the Amazon price looks about right. I don't know if Wehonest still carries them on eBay or not.

These are very simple and basic. The ones I got are short and had to be mounted on a simulated silver-painted lineside metal box to be the right height. But maybe these ones are tall enough as-is. At this price, you can't go wrong even if you have to fiddle a bit.

Don Merz