WHAT SIZE transformer & controller ........... ???

[hankbonaire]

BASICS .........
I have 127 volts 50 z AC house current in the wall.
The plan is for 250 lineal feet of track all DC .......... bus and feeders.
Maximum of 2 trains running continuously ............. all passenger/no freight.
No accessories planned.
What size transformer and controller do you recommend ??
I prefer LGB and PIKO.
Merry Christmas from the Caribbean.

 

[Gizzy]

LGB 51097 5A controller would be suitable for your needs. You will also need to purchase LGB 51095 Switch Mode PSU to go with it.

Plenty of amps should you upgrade to larger locos....

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you Gizzy ........... I'll look those up.
I abandoned the 4 transformers in parallel idea ........... too many safety issues.
Also I deleted that post ............ should someone try it.

 

[hankbonaire]

LGB Is it 51097 or 51079 ???
Can't find 97.

 

[PhilP]

Yes, 51079..

I think Gizzy has been on the Christmas sherry?

You should be able to find these your side of the pond, though a Meanwell supply might be easier to source?

Not sure if the Helmsman controllers were available in the US?

PhilP

 

[Gizzy]

LGB Is it 51097 or 51079 ???
Can't find 97.

Hic....

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you PhilP .............. I'll stick with LGB and PIKO.
It is Christmas here too ............. everything is sold out for a while............. (LGB is sold out............... PIKO I need help choosing).

 

[hankbonaire]

Hic....

Save some for New Years.

 

[Paul M]

LGB 51097 5A controller would be suitable for your needs. You will also need to purchase LGB 51095 Switch Mode PSU to go with it.

Plenty of amps should you upgrade to larger locos....

Yes get the biggest output one practical, then you can easily upgrade your fleet without worrying about the supply

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you Paul M ................ all seems to be go for 5 amps ............ PIKO has some ........... LGB is sold out............ gonna wait 'til January 24 and see if supply gets better.

 

[Software Tools]

PIKO has some

Pretty much all the G scale power supply vendors are now using commercial switch mode power supplies from Meanwell (or similar) for providing a DC input to the "control" box. The toy/hobby retail markup on those suppliers is very high, so it is certainly worthwhile getting the same switch mode supply off the electronics market.

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you ................ and what is switch mode ???

 

[PhilP]

Thank you ................ and what is switch mode ???

Rather than using a bulky, expensive transformer, a switched-mode power supply uses electronics to create a higher frequency voltage which can be used to supply more current, more efficiently..

If you think of a 30V 6A power supply (180 Watts) it is about the same size as a large old-school bulb.
But whereas you can comfortably touch the power supply, you would not want to touch the bulb..

A crude analogy, but gives you an idea..
They are cheaper, lighter, and more efficient than traditional power supplies.

PhilP

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you PhilP.
Is that kinda like why aeroplanes have 115V at 400Z ???
I'm a carpenter so my electronics is if it doesn't work then use a bigger hammer.
(PS .......... I got the LGB 51079 ........... the 51095 is 220V ............. I have 127V ............ bigger hammer ??)

 

[PhilP]

Is that kinda like why aeroplanes have 115V at 400Z ???

Sort-of.. - Less weight is good..

But also the speed of the rotating parts, tends to a higher frequency.

PhilP

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you PhilP ............ I'm on it.

 

[Gizzy]

(PS .......... I got the LGB 51079 ........... the 51095 is 220V ............. I have 127V ............ ?)

I can't be certain, but most Mains equipment these days can work on a wide range of voltages and frequencies from 100-250 V 50-60 Hz. In Europe, the law states that the relevant mains lead and plug must be supplied for the country where it is sold. I guess where you live, the US mains system is prevalent. LGB used to do a Transformer in grey for the US, but the newer switched mode units are different.

You will have to check with your supplier whether it is compatible with the mains supply in your country of residence....

 

[hankbonaire]

Thank you Gizzy.
I live in the Caribbean, a Dutch island (Bonaire) and have 127V 50Hz ............. 220V is also available.
See post 11 here for Mean Well adaptability.
I can't get Mean Well so am looking at LGB or PIKO.
Also .......... how much of LGB and PIKO (German engineering quality)) is made in China ???

 

[hankbonaire]

I can't be certain, but most Mains equipment these days can work on a wide range of voltages and frequencies from 100-250 V 50-60 Hz. In Europe, the law states that the relevant mains lead and plug must be supplied for the country where it is sold. I guess where you live, the US mains system is prevalent. LGB used to do a Transformer in grey for the US, but the newer switched mode units are different.

You will have to check with your supplier whether it is compatible with the mains supply in your country of residence....

I found this online 60195 120V with a USA style plug ............ is this the equivalent to the Euro style 50195 220V with the Euro style 2 prong plug ?? (edited)

 

[Software Tools]

Is that kinda like why aeroplanes have 115V at 400Z ???

Aircraft power supplies are essentially provided by the engines... the voltage and frequency that was derivable from a rotary piston engines way back in the day set the avionic standard which is still used today.