DC - Electrical
Why are my Darlingtons Failing?
A friend of mine is using a Picaxe microcontroller to trigger outputs from a ULN2803 Darlington driver chip that operates 6 relays switching higher loads. As I understand it the driver chip he's using has internal clamp diodes that should protect the transistors in the chip, but it seems like they are not holding up over time through repeated cycles of the relays. Does he need clamp diodes on the relays, which are at the end of a cable run from the drivers and microcontroller? Is the long run of wire back to the driver chip from the relay coil part of the problem?
Terminal Blocks
Hi everyone,
I was looking for some product recommendations in regards to terminal blocks. This would be for 18-22 gauge solid copper wire connections (track feeders mainly). I am looking for an assortment of block sizes with two screw terminals. What do you use on your layout? I am wiring track with flexibility in the future and the ability to troubleshoot.
Thanks!
track still sparks help
ok so i have an ho scale oval with some left sided turnouts for switching all of this is done using life like power loc track as its what came in the lot when the misses surprised me with it last xmas.
best way to light my layout
ok so i use life like power loc track and im kinda going for a turn of the century rail road layout design. I.E. there will be some steam locals and some diesel locos in a small country setting, and im wanting to put a few street lamps on the layout but im new to all this would prefer it if i could some how connect the lamps to my transformer via the accessories connector im on fixed income so the cheaper the better im also open to putting la,ps on the layout even if they dont light as i dont really run my trains in the dark
Control the World with Simple Logic Circuits
The model railroad hobby is full of gadgets that are fun to control-- motors, lights, turnout motors. It is also full of contraptions that can control them ranging from crude to sophisticated-- manual switches, detectors, computer boards. Whenever I have to connect a control contraption to a gadget, I have to pause. How do these things connect together? This is not a trivial consideration. It is often possible to damage, even destroy either or both by making the wrong choice.
best device for engine sounds ho scale non DCC
ok so i have a life like ho scale dc opval setup and i want to have engine sounds so that when my trains are running u can hear the sounds of the engines whats the best way to do this?
train sparks when running on track
ok so i have a standard oval layout using life like power loc track i have one powered terminal rerailer curve track piece on each side of the track for a total of 2 powered terminal track pieces. i did this because the track wasnt getting enough power now for some odd reason when ever i run the train aka the engine be it diesel or steam loco's i see spars coming from either the track or wheels cant be to sure any idea whats causing this and should i be worried?
need help powering my track
ok so i have a standard oval layout with life like power lock track the pic above is a picture of the terminal track i use to power the track. any how i need to ad a second terminal track because when the train engine gets to the back hand curve it starts to slow down as if its not getting enough power. so i have 2 questions
Walters NSC well car (3-unit)
I bought a 3 pack of these cars, but there is no drawbar to connect the 3 cars together. Are they supposed to come with one or do I have to get it separately?
There is a coupler on 1 end of 2 of the cars, that's it.
What DC power supplies do folks use?
Just wondering what folks use on their layouts for providing power to switch machines, DCC accessories (reversers, controllers,...) structure lighting, etc. Do you prefer wall-warts or larger power supplies? How beefy a supply do you prefer (obviously related to layout size and number/type of powered devices)? Do you use any of the many computer power supplies? eBay or other sources? Anyone use the power supplies various DCC vendors sell for their systems for other than powering their boosters/command stations?
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