Hello,

I want to make a control panel in order control turnouts, display track occupancy with LEDs and operate signals (semaphore). So I think I need a small transformer to power turnout motors (74490) and so forth. I've been looking at 6001, 6646, and 60055 as a 16 volt ac power source. Since I've read here not to use the blue transformers on digital locomotives, I won't get one of those, just in case I'm tempted to run a locomotive with it. Even the Marklin book "Controlling Switching Running" (07421) states that one should use a newer transformer and that's why no wiring diagrams are presented with older transformers. The advantage of 6646 is that I could run analog locomotives (until I digitize them) and digital locomotives in analog mode on a test track. But I'm having sticker shock at some of these prices I'm seeing.

What other options are available for what I want to do? Maybe a new Lionel transformer (apparently new ones are cheap on ebay)? or just risk getting an old used blue transformer and only use for accessories? I am on a budget!

My small layout is c-track with 1.2amp mobile station. No plans to move up to central station, since I can program decoders using loksound programmer. Besides I want a control panel that has LEDs and switches I can touch, not something on a small touch screen, eyesight is not what it used to be! Here is some inspiration that I scarfed from a DB video:


Prices I'm seeing (usa dollars):
Online dealer:
60055 about $150
6646 about $140
Ebay prices:
6001 about $50 + 20 shipping

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
-bump

Edited by user 08 April 2010 20:18:37(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Good stuff and the price is right. I especially like the analog ohm meter!

But what about using 12 volts on marklin c-track switch motors? or on semaphore signals (that I don't even have yet)? I have no previous experience here. Weren't the switch and signal motors (or are they solenoids?) designed for 16 volts alternating current? I think these motors have some sort of feedback mechanism so the control panel can display the current setting. Is that feedback sensitive to voltage? I vaguely remember reading somewhere about the end switch that cuts current to solenoid does not work as well with digital power than with analog power.

To further confuse me, I have read about someone who uses 12 volt auto relays on their Marklin 16 volt ac layouts. If all these things work interchangeably, on 12 volts dc or 16 volt ac then I'm set, but I gotta be sure before I buy.

Thanks for your help.

What's an earth fault that can put main power, I assume 120 volt house current, on the rails? I never thought a pc power supply was unsafe. Kids are plugging all kinds of USB powered devices into a computer. Thanks for explaining this further.

I googled SELV and found separated or safety extra low voltage. How can one determine if a power supply is SELV? Is it stamped on the equipment?

I used the word "safely" because of what Marklin warns about old transformers (old insulation becomes brittle) and about what I have read on this forum about decoders not liking blue transformers.

thanks.

You should find the "class II" symbol (see here) on many devices. The loco symbol found on M* transformers is more restrictive than class II.


Normally you have three wires going to the wall socket: live wire, neutral wire, earth wire.
Sometimes you find cheapo installations with only two wires in the wall and earth and neutral connected in the socket.
If this is the case (and you normally don't know coz you cannot see inside the wall) and the common earth/neutral wire is interrupted, mains voltage will be on the PC case; with a MRR connected to the PC, mains power will be on the rails.

NEM recommendations for publicly shown layouts do not allow class I equipment to be connected to the layout. They didn't have time to make an English version, but offer it in French and German:
http://www.morop.org/fr/normes/nem609_f.pdf
http://www.morop.org/de/normes/nem609_d.pdf
http://www.morop.org/de/normes/nem609d_bbl_d.pdf (also contains the symbols for class II and toy applications)

These are security recommendations - at your layout you're king in your own country ...