Page 1 of 1

High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Sun May 01, 2022 7:21 pm
by 2027Joe
HI All

I am in the process of building my new layout and will be using point motors for the very first time.

I am using some Peco PL11 point motors and a few Rails of Sheffield point motors.

In all I will have approximately 26 point motors.

My question is, "Do I need to have a CDU for every single point motor, or can I connect 4 or 5 or more to one CDU ?"

I have looked around the internet but cannot seem to find a definitive answer !

Hopefully someone here will be able to point me in the right direction. (No pun intended :lol: )

Many thanks in advance

Joe H

Re: High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Sun May 01, 2022 7:26 pm
by Steve M
You only need one for the whole layout. You will only throw one or two points at a time so the CDU will recharge quick enough for any subsequent motors.

Re: High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Sun May 01, 2022 7:29 pm
by brian1951
As Steve said, scroll down to point motor wiring https://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical_Page_2.html

Re: High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Sun May 01, 2022 8:04 pm
by 2027Joe
Thank you all so much.

Steve for the information and Brian for the diagrams.

Now I can get on with the job.

Thanks again

Joe H :D

Re: High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 9:17 am
by RAF96
I have used two CDUs but only because my layout has two main boards on opposite sides of the room and it was more practical for local wiring to have one either side than a single CDU feeding all points.

Re: High Power CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit).

Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 11:20 am
by Tricky Dicky
For sequential point changes as already advised a single CDU will be enough but if you plan on having route setting when maybe several points change at once then an additional CDU is advisable.

Richard