Sir TophamHatt Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Hello! My layout is DCC but I use a simple DC solution to power accessories - namely points and now signals. I read / watched that using the 16v output from a Hornby controller is a way to do this. This is the sort of controller I am using: I'm not using the track output, just the accessory output. The accessory output runs to a CDU and then around my layout as an accessory bus. I run seep points / toggle switches from it, which works fine. Now I've come to add a signal, the signal doesn't work. Using a control board from Heathcote Electronics but that shouldn't matter too much and perhaps is adding complication to the matter. I'm wondering if the CDU is limiting / stopping power to the bus so the point motors don't get burnt out. After all, the CDU provides the quick burst of high power then slowly draws a charge again. Does this mean the signal won't have any power? I've made another post about a different power supply as the Hornby unit doesn't hold the wires that well. But I guess this next question will apply to the Hornby unit or a new power supply. Can I run the accessory line from the controller to a terminal block that allows me to run off a few different lines? Say, one that would go to the CDU, then to point motors or another from the terminal block to power the signals? Don't know if it'll go all weird or not though? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relaxinghobby Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 How many amps does this unit put out, around 1 A ? Is that enough for all the work you are asking it to do. Ant chance of a wiring diagram to give us an idea off how you have set it up. How far around the bus bar is the signal. How is the signal moved or lit, a solenoid or is it just LEDs? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 I'll draw a diagram tomorrow as I'm in bed now (should have drawn one earlier!). The point motors are wired to momentary switches so the CDU releases enough power to throw the point. I have to wait maybe 3 or 4 seconds before I can throw another point. The signal is quite far (no more than 4m from the power supply), but beyond that are point motors which throw fine. It's an Eckon LED signal. Uses an infrared detector to change it, which it can handle 12v - 16v, AC or DC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Just take power for the signal direct from the Hornby unit, bypassing the CDU. The CDU output is only suitable for solenoids. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Number 1 is what I have although off those bus wires, there's now signals. Number 2 is what I'm wondering if I can do. 17 hours ago, Grovenor said: Just take power for the signal direct from the Hornby unit, bypassing the CDU. The CDU output is only suitable for solenoids. What dial do I turn the Hornby controller up to? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Sir TophamHatt said: Number 1 is what I have although off those bus wires, there's now signals. Number 2 is what I'm wondering if I can do. What dial do I turn the Hornby controller up to? Yes, number 2 is what you should do. Why should you turn the controller up? In your first post you said you are using the accessory output not the track output, so dialling it up won't make any difference. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 53 minutes ago, Grovenor said: Yes, number 2 is what you should do. Why should you turn the controller up? In your first post you said you are using the accessory output not the track output, so dialling it up won't make any difference. Ahh, I thought you meant use the track output from the controller! Ha ha. So it's okay to split the controller output (using a terminal block) and stick the CDU on one side for points, then use the other side for signals? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 On 10/07/2020 at 20:28, relaxinghobby said: How many amps does this unit put out, around 1 A ? Probably not much. What sort of amps should I be looking at? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 You have a few points on a CDU, the CDU charges up taking power after each point operation. LED signals take a few milliamps. Your power supply will do the job.You may need a bigger one if you greatly expand the layout. 21 hours ago, Sir TophamHatt said: Ahh, I thought you meant use the track output from the controller! Ha ha. So it's okay to split the controller output (using a terminal block) and stick the CDU on one side for points, then use the other side for signals? Yes its OK, just as you drew it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relaxinghobby Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Add the LED lamps one at a time, then operate points and see how well they shine as the CDU recharges ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John ks Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 If I am reading the outputs on the Hornby controller correctly then it has 2 outputs 1 0-12VDC to control trains 2 16vAC for accessory's eg point motors If you are using Lights/ signals that need a DC input then you will need a rectifier between the accessory output & the device Looking at the controller it shows a 16VAC input, this suggests that there is a separate Plug pack (wallwart, power supply etc, a rose by any other name------------ ) for the controller If this is the case then why connect your CDU to the controller when it can be connected directly to the plug pack(the output of the plug pack should be 16VAC Some form of overload protection between the plugpack & first terminal strip would be advisable (1Amp fuse etc) John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted July 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 18, 2020 I don't quite understand your number 1 diagram. Is "TB" where you have Thor signals connected? If so, then the CDU output is wired directly to the LED. I don't know how much power a CDU supplied, but it is certainly more than an LED signal needs. As the signal won't work, does than mean the CDU has burned it out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 On 18/07/2020 at 19:28, ikcdab said: I don't quite understand your number 1 diagram. Is "TB" where you have Thor signals connected? If so, then the CDU output is wired directly to the LED. I don't know how much power a CDU supplied, but it is certainly more than an LED signal needs. As the signal won't work, does than mean the CDU has burned it out? Seems not - they just wouldn't work. Have got a separate power supply now so I don't need to split the one I have for points. Will be testing tomorrow so I'll see if any LEDs have burned out but pretty certain they were fine when I tested using another method. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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