Controller for Dublo 3 Rail

[Wolseley]

The controller I have been using is one that I bought about 25 or so years ago, when I was running new or near new locomotives on a 12v D.C. two rail system.  Back then I only ever ran one locomotive at a time, and had no problems.  Fast forward a quarter of a century and now I am running three rail Hornby Dublo and sometimes two trains simultaneously.  I have noticed that the thermal overload cut-out (and, to a lesser extent, the top of the box) tends to get too hot to touch after continuous running of 30 minutes or more.  I have cleaned and lubricated all the locomotives, and none of them have any obvious problems - a couple of them get a bit warm after running for half an hour or more, but that’s about it.

 

The wording on the case says, on the input side “240V AC..125amps., total Output 30 V/A” and on the outlets “12v DC Uncontrolled max. 1.5 amps.”, “17v AC Uncontrolled max. 1.6 amps.”, “12v DC Controlled max. 1.5 amps.” - I can understand what the bit about the volts means, but I'm not sure about the rest.  Forgive my ignorance (electronics is not one of my strong points) but is that 1.5 amps. in total across both outlets or 1.5 amps. in each one?  Is it true that Dublo locomotives draw a bit more current that more modern locomotives?

 

It has me wondering if this controller is really up to the job.  If it isn’t, what would be the best option (I would prefer not to get a second-hand one).  Please bear in mind that I am living in Australia, so referring me to some specialist UK supplier wouldn’t be much use.

 

The brand of the controller I have is EDA, which is no longer on the market, although the company appears to have been reorganised and they still make the same products but they are now branded CDA.  Other than the colour and name, mine is pretty much like this:

 

[sagaguy]

I tend to steer clear of any controller that has sliding potentiometers after having a perfectly good H & M Walkabout controller which was superb until the sliding pot got dirty & failed & couldn`t be repaired.I have bought a Trax hand held with feed back for my Hornby Dublo 3 rail layout & is really good,it`s also rated at 1.5 amp output.

 

                      http://www.traxcontrols.com/controllers.htm

 

                   Ray.

[Il Grifone]

I usually use Dublo Marshall IIIs and an H & M 'Powermaster'. These are all a bit long in the tooth however.

 

A Dublo motor draws about 0.6A under load, if in good order (Dublo controllers are rated 8 or more usually 9 V.A*. - suggesting a 0.75 amp capacity. Therefore 1.5 amp should be adequate for 2 locomotives. Probably the unit is rated 1.5 amp for a limited period rather than continuously. (The same thing is common in the audio field too.)

 

Dublo motors shouldn't really run warm. Possibly they need remagnetising or new neodymium magnets.

 

*'Volt-amperes' - nominally the same as 'watts', but takes into account 'power factor'. (Something from the 'dark side' of A.C. theory which can be ignored).

 

The unit is rated 30 V.A. total (presumably the transformer rating), which should be more than adequate for two locomotives, assuming the uncontrolled output is not used for accessories. These should ideally be run from a separate supply anyway.

 

Slider potentiometers do tend to become noisy. A spray of switch cleaner (Philips make a good one - or used to!) will usually fix them for a while, but the only solution is dismantling, cleaning the track, retensioning the contact (not too much - it should still slide freely) and reassembly. If this doesn't work, replacement is necessary, but finding suitable components might be a problem.

[BR60103]

Are there 2 controlled outlets, one uncontrolled DC and an AC? (4 in all?) It looks as if you should get 1.5 amps total out of the DC. The unit at 30 VA should provide 2.5 amps at 12 V (30 divided by 12).

 

If you need to replace it, a modern unit (is that one no longer modern?) with enough amps would be suitable.

 

We've found that, using an automobile bulb as an overload indicator, that a couple (or even a single) HD locos are enough to light the bulb.

[Wolseley]

Two controlled DC outlets and one uncontrolled AC outlet.

[BR60103]

Maybe it means that you can get 1.5 amps out of either outlet, but I wouldn't try to get that much out of each at the same time.