Model Railway Forum

Hello All,

Can I swap an AC supply to DC supply. Google is a bit vague or complicated. I want to do a temporary track layout and use a Peco P11 solenoid. Accoding to instructions it needs an AC supply which I don't have except for an antique transformer that looks like a block of flats. Rather than buy an AC transformer can I use a DC wall plug type that I might get some future use of.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Dirk

I doubt it from the instructions I've just read. However, many DC controllers have at least 2 outputs, one the DC controlled on at 12v DC and the other at 16v AC. Which power controller are you going to use to control your locos?

Hello IanS,

Powercab is my preference at the moment but nothing really set in concrete just yet but leaning to Powercab mainly because it compact.

Dirk

Aussie 3 railer wrote: ↑Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:18 pm Hello All,

Can I swap an AC supply to DC supply. Google is a bit vague or complicated. I want to do a temporary track layout and use a Peco P11 solenoid. Accoding to instructions it needs an AC supply which I don't have except for an antique transformer that looks like a block of flats. Rather than buy an AC transformer can I use a DC wall plug type that I might get some future use of.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Dirk

Hi
Is it just to operate solenoid point motors via switches or levers or is the supply to power a DCC system (or a DC controller) and also point motors?

If its just to power solenoid motors then DC can be used, but ideally you need to increase the DC supply voltage to around 19v to 21v DC.
Is a CDU being used?

If the DC supply is to feed a DC train controller, then it can be used instead of an AC power source, as the train controller will have a rectifier fitted that converts AC to DC at the very beginning of its input stages. You may find that a 12volt DC supply feeding a train controller does not provide full maximum speed. A 15volt DC power source would be the optimum.

Confused by the PowerCab mention?? The PowerCab is supplied with its own regulated 13.5 volt DC power supply. It can operate between 10 and 15 volts DC at up to a maximum current of 3.0Amps. Though I would recommend keeping it to around 2.0Amp. Just ensure any DC power supply is of the "Regulated" type. Regulated means the output volage is constant regardless of load up to the maximum current rating.

You cannot operate point motors or any other accessory directly from the PowerCab (or any other DCC system for that matter) There needs to be an interface between the DCC system and the accessory. This interface is an Accessory Decoder that connects to the DCC pair of wires and provides suitable outputs to the accessory. To note, there are two very distinct types of Accessory Decoder outputs. Pulse or Continuous. You must only use a Pulse output to power solenoid point motors. Continuous outputs are used for such things as stall point motors or colour light signal aspects etc. Some accessory decoders are user adjustable between pulse or continuous, but many are just of one type, so you must be sure you obtain the correct type.

Morning Brian.

Thank you for the reply. This sure is a complicated business huge learning curve. This is for a temporary trial on the layout just to make sure my curves aren't to sharp and the engines can get around them. I think I might be a bit tight here and there.

The P11 is only going to be in place for the trial. It's not going to be used in the final set up. I have 2 hard to get at points so was thinking of DCC Concepts controllers. One is a straight out point with a double pole toggle switch. My other points are all manual operated. I like the hands on approach.

1The other is a problem its a return loop and probably use the same type of DCC Concepts controller with the magnetic occupation buttons with magnets under the engines. The plan is this one should look after itself. Open to your suggestions here on either.

I have a DC controller which has an auxiliary outlet that according to the seller runs at full voltage for point switching, lighting etc. Its a PWM controller that operates on amperage not voltage ? The builder of these controllers is a train enthusiast and claims to have been selling these for 30 years. I didn't realise it had the accessories outlet until I posted the original message. Could this accessories outlet be used as a stand alone just for the 2 points in a DCC track but not connected to the DCC controller. Hope this is making sense. I'll stick a multi meter on it today to see its voltage.

The hobby shops here all sell Power Cab controllers with their own power pack (wall warts) and warn not to use other than approved power packs to avoid warranty issues. They come with the power pack for our power points.

Think I have covered your questions here let me know if you need further.

Thank you for the message I certainly do appreciate your input and scour your web site for information regularly.

Dirk

Forgot to add to the above.

I am going to use a CDU Peco PL35.

The power pack is unbranded made in China...... model SDK -1319 not that anything shows up on Google. Nothing to indicate its regulated. 15v 2000mA.

Dirk.

Hi Dirk,

Nothing untoward with what you have planned. DCC Concepts Cobalt iP stall motors come in two versions. If I were about to start out and have no motors currently, then I would obtain their DCC Digital version - Digital Cobalt iP. Reason is, this can be powered and operated by the DCC system and also use push buttons for operation OR it can be powered and operated totally independently of the DCC using 12 to 23 volts regulated DC and two push buttons. So best of both worlds all in one motor! Their other version is not Digital and if operated by DCC would need an Accessory Decoder with a constant output.

Your 15volt 2.0Amp DC power supply should be ok with the PL-11 and the CDU.

Your DC Analogue train controller with the auxiliary output may be providing AC on the pair of Aux. terminals, unless it's clearly marked as DC? Many makers of DC analogue controllers take a feed from the mains to low voltage transformers secondary winding (AC) before its rectified and allow it to be used to power uncontrolled accessories. The exception to this is where the train controller is feed with an input coming from a 'plug in' wall socket style or a 'brick' style power supply, which usually are DC to begin with, though that needs to be checked from the devices rating label.

If you haven’t already purchased it may I suggest you don’t use the Peco CDU. It is OK but there are cheaper better ones available, some might not be in a neat plastic box but will do a better job.

Not suggesting this one in particular, just an example.

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/g ... cbba&_ss=r

Morning Brian,

I had the Cobalt IP in mind to use in both locations. They aren't a bad price here for a change. Still a bit undecided about the magnetic occupied buttons maybe the coiled hard wired contacts might be a better option for the return loop.

Morning Walking the Dog,

I already have the CDU. I saw that one you entioned but no one seems to stock it here in AU. Postal rates kill most things from the UK unless its an ebay seller generally. There are the odd ebay sellers of smaller electrical items like that here but often their feedback isn't great. Apart from that warranty on ebay is pretty well non existant although I always use PayPal for payment so covers any disputes.

Dirk

Fair enough. The Peco one works just fine but the one I had seemed slow to recharge. Apart from that no problem.