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Offline mbarreto  
#1 Posted : 11 December 2018 19:14:46(UTC)
mbarreto

Portugal   
Joined: 18/02/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,257
Hello,

I would like to know if there is some "locomotive" decoder that can be used to provide voltage to track or catenary so that it is possible to control analoggue locomotives being fed by that track or catenary voltage. This would make possible, for example, to have a track or catenary section running an analogue locomotive being controlled by a CS or MS.
The output of the decoder would be 2 wires, preferably with galvanic isolation, DC output voltage (pulse or amplitude to control speed) and the 24V pulse for direction reverse. The maximum output current could be a bit higher than a normal locomotive decoder as it could be used to control, for example, 2 locomotives in the same track with semaphore signals.
This would eliminate the need for a transformer if one wants to have an analogue portion of track/catenary in a mostly digital layout.
Maybe this already exists and I simply don't know.

Best regards,
Miguel
Mostly Märklin H0.


Offline DaleSchultz  
#2 Posted : 11 December 2018 19:39:43(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
what is are describing is, I think, called a stationary decoder.

With only 2 wires, a regular decoder wont do it as the AC motor of an analog loco needs three wires for two directions of travel. They also do not pass the reversing impulse that would be needed.

So if you can accept a single direction of travel you could attach a regular decoder, which would put a pulse width modulated electrical signal into the tracks. An analog loco should simply travel about in whatever direction it was last set to.

Running more than one loco would likely put too much load onto the decoder.

Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Offline mbarreto  
#3 Posted : 11 December 2018 22:27:54(UTC)
mbarreto

Portugal   
Joined: 18/02/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,257
Hi Dale,
Thanks for your reply.
I completely agree, and I don't know of any decoder that allows for the reverse pulse. I think it was something for a decoder vendor (like ESU, Zimo, Märklin, etc) to produce, although I am not sure it would sell much. It was also good it to be able to deliver 2 Amps to the track, so it would support 2 trains.

Miguel
Best regards,
Miguel
Mostly Märklin H0.


Offline kgsjoqvist  
#4 Posted : 12 December 2018 18:33:27(UTC)
kgsjoqvist

Sweden   
Joined: 04/06/2002(UTC)
Posts: 754
Location: Täby
In the DC world it could make sense. But anyway the problem is if you have a shortcut on the track, the decoder would be damaged. Much easier to use an analogue trafo.
K-G / H0 and Z model train user
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by kgsjoqvist
Offline mbarreto  
#5 Posted : 12 December 2018 23:15:08(UTC)
mbarreto

Portugal   
Joined: 18/02/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,257

The analogue trafo is indeed a good solution, just a bit big and not so integrated... And if one is controlling trains with a PC, the decoder would be the way.
About a short circuit in the track, the decoder should be resilient enough to handle it.
Maybe better replace the relay in the locomotives by a decoder without sound.
Best regards,
Miguel
Mostly Märklin H0.


thanks 1 user liked this useful post by mbarreto
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