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Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:01 pm
by Walkingthedog
My loft layout was large ish and I could only reach a few points so the majority of them were motorised.


My new layout is a lot smaller around the walls of an 8x8ft spare room. Still has over 30 points but all within reach so I change them handraulically, using my finger.

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:34 pm
by Ron S
In other words, digitally controlled !!

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:06 pm
by Walkingthedog
Absolutely, the only digital thing on my layout. :D

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:04 pm
by footplate1947
These cap discharge units (have not used them before) do you control with DCC controller to use them as you said they were digital. John

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:29 pm
by teedoubleudee
footplate1947 wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:04 pm These cap discharge units (have not used them before) do you control with DCC controller to use them as you said they were digital. John
I think the reference to digital was a joke(?) about the digits on his hand John. Don't humour them :roll:

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:46 pm
by footplate1947
O............. I missed that,....... because I had not read the thread through. Just the last bit. Sorry folks I have headache running nose and feel rubbish am not ioo% or even 50%. Was not trying to humour anybody I really did not know . I am starting to lay the new layout and when installing the points I have always before used PECO motor with PEC point motor DC with a centre off two way switch. So was asking why use these cap discharge and are they DCC or can you use them on DC which is what I have. If the old two way switch with centre off return does the job what is the advantage using cap discharge at all. ..........................John

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 2:11 pm
by Rog (RJ)
The CDU gives a short sharp burst of current to the point motor for more reliable operation. It also protects the motor from burning out due to overheating if a point switch goes faulty, allowing constant current flow. The CDU will only allow a small, relatively harmless current to flow under fault conditions.

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 3:03 pm
by footplate1947
Thank you Roger are these DCC equipment or can you use them with DC. I must say I have used point motors for many years and never had a faulty switch. Must have been lucky..

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 3:39 pm
by footplate1947
Thanks Rog have found some info about it somewhere else so have the answers I needed. :)

Re: Capacitor discharge unit.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:19 pm
by Walkingthedog
Methinks the word digital doth confuse. :D