Capacitor discharge unit.

[RSR Engineer]

A small problem with a vintage CDU from my old layout that got a bit knocked about during 12 years' storage in the attic. In short, the capacitors (Gaugemaster's original one plus two boosters I put on myself) have come adrift and I'm not sure how the thing should go back together. A visit to Gaugemaster's site and Google didn't reveal anything; all I found was modern, more sophisticated stuff. Can someone help me with this, please? It's the old CDU that consisted of just a bit of copper-clad paxolin, a capacitor and a diode.

Cheers and many thanks,
Artur

[Steve M]

Artur, new ones are very inexpensive. Just get a new one ordered from GM.

[Rog (RJ)]

Agreed, get a new one. Old electrolytic capacitors can dry out and not work properly.

[RSR Engineer]

Good idea, Steve; in fact, I've already done that. I was just hoping to use this old one in the meantime to test my SM3 point motors (legacy of the old layout). Some of them are a bit obstinate on just plain 16V AC.

À propos, can anyone please tell me also if there's a lubricant I can squirt into an SM3 without gumming it up permanently? I'm reluctant to flush the thing out with petrol or whatever in case I dissolve the varnish on the solenoid windings.

Cheers and many thanks,
Artur

Sorry, Rog, your comment landed while I was drafting. I didn't realise that about capacitors drying out. Thank you for pointing that out.

[Brian]

Hi
The Gaugemaster CDU is a good purchase. But if you want more capacitance look at the offerings from Blocksignalling. http://www.blocksignalling.co.uk/index. ... du2c-cdu4c

On Seep and the occasionally a Peco PL10 I use a contact cleaner spray sold under the Electrolube label. Like this eBay example.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrolube- ... 1583810602

[shroomy]

Arthur I am sure I’ve got something kicking around will have a look if your interested. Just pay postage

[RSR Engineer]

Many thanks again for your feedback, gentlemen. I have already ordered a Gaugemaster CDU and will see how that goes. If any of those old SM3s still dig their heels in, I'll have to see if I can't soup up the CDU with a few more μF. That certainly worked on the old setup, no ifs and buts. What I will not need is to throw several points at once. On the old layout it was always sufficient to push the one button a couple of times. I'll get some Electrolube as well.

Cheers,
Artur

[teedoubleudee]

Be careful of over powering CDUs. I replaced all my solenoid point motors with slow action ones as the plastic point tie bars were being damaged.

[Walkingthedog]

Oh dear TWD that is unfortunate. Practically all the points on my loft layout were operated via a hefty CDU for many years. They are still in use on my new layout without motors.

[RSR Engineer]

Hmm, bit of a dilemma, that. I'll see how the standard CDU goes and take it from there. Thanks for your comments, gentlemen. Sorry, Wtd, I don't quite follow; have you gone back to Mercontrol levers and tube and wire?

Cheers,
Artur