Comments for Trainfacts

Comment on Dale Manquen’s Control Panel by Domingo Magnatti

Domingo Magnatti — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:41:20 +0000

Your Control panel is very impress and sofisticade, my one is nothing compare with yours, just AWESOME.

Comment on MANCO Legacy Base Booster by Robert Brown II

Robert Brown II — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:00:57 +0000

Dale,
Regarding the booster I ordered, if you haven’t already shipped it to me, please send me the Booster plus RS-232 version @ $40.00 plus shipping.
Thank you

Bob Brown
138 Oakwood Lane
Erwin, TN 37650

Comment on MANCO Legacy Base Booster by Steve Musso

Steve Musso — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:16:02 +0000

Dale, where would the Legacy provided Y cable fit in with this? Would the cable connect to the Base or the Booster?

Anxiously awating my Boosters.
Steve

Comment on Magnetraction Zapper by Ted Mackel

Ted Mackel — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:04:46 +0000

So that re-magnetizes the wheels? How long do you have to zap it?

Comment on TMCC Signal Basics by Ross Mason

Ross Mason — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:22:19 +0000

Thanks for your layman’s explanation of how the TMCC signal works. I have a question. I am using a postwar “Z” type transformer without a ground connection. This is the original plug that came with the transformer from Lionel in 1948. The wiring is fine but from your description, I need a ground connection from the “Z” transformer frame to the 120 volt AC receptacle. I am using a dedicated 120 volt AC recpticle with proper three wire connections as indicated with my plug in circuit tester. Do I need to add a ground from the “Z” transformer and the modify the plug making it three wire? I hate to cut of the postwar AC wiring as an experiment!!

Comment on Lionel CW-80 Transformer General Description “Original Version” by Thatcher

Thatcher — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:31:59 +0000

Hi! I was wondering if you knew what kind of uC it was. Also, is there any schematic you could give? I’m working on modifying a similar transformer to be controlled over the internet and I want to best understand the circuit before I modify anything. Great writeup, by the way. It was very informative.

Comment on Conventional Whistle/Horn Control by Bob Taylor

Bob Taylor — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:13:17 +0000

Dale,
I have a small stock of original LCRU boards which I would like to install in some
post war Lionel engines. I have done this successfully a number of times. I would like to control the whistle or horn from the CAB1. I have a diagram of a simple circuit to do this. It was created by Digital Dynamics. All parts were from Radio Shack . Everything is still available except the 275-310 relay. I was able to determine that this relay required 1.2 volts to activate and was a 3 amp relay.
I have checked Mouser’s catalog, but I am not electronically knowledgeable enough to identify a suitable replacement. I was wondering if you could assist me in
this project in any of the following manners.
1. E-mail me a part number and source for a suitable relay.
2. Build 1 prototype board which I could replicate as needed.
3. Build a number of boards either on an as needed basis or as a one time bulk
order.
I realize that each of these options will involve a purchase price. I am willing to
pay anything reasonable to permit me to use up my remaining stock of boards.
I have the complete circuit schematic which I can fax to you or scan and e-mail, if
I can figure out how to do that.

Comment on Lionel Powermaster Power Controller by Dale

Dale — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:18:31 +0000

Chuck, I just sifted your Powermaster comments out of the spam.
Thanks for pointing out the Q2 and Q3 reversal. That leads to a problem. I see Q2 as the FET that usually blows. I thought that was the negative half cycle FET which would be unprotected by the overcurrent sensor circuit and thus more vulnerable. If Q2 is the positive half cycle FET, then maybe the current sensing scheme actually leads to FET failure! Time to do some more checking!

Comment on Lionel TMCC Command Base 7/29/11 by Dale

Dale — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:54:38 +0000

I just sifted your message out of the spam.
Where is your Command Base mounted?
Please contact me directly at dmanquen@msn.com

Comment on Lionel TMCC Command Base 7/29/11 by Scott

Scott — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:18:18 +0000

I am writing to seek your advice. I have a CAB 1 that does not communicate well with the base. I noticied this after I purchased a TMCC crane. The crane functions intermittently. I had it checked at Lionel & it is OK. The red light on the base does not flicker consistently when I send it a signal. Your recommendation?

Thank you!