amdaley

Fundamentally, its the volts which killed it - the PowerCab manual says 10-15v DC supply.  18v DC is "over volts".    The heat is the system trying to regulate the voltage and failing.  

 

The current is a lesser issue, and only comes into play when there is a short circuit.    NCE systems have somewhat inadequate short protection, and end up relying on either the power supply tripping or the use of secondary short protection devices to protect the NCE system. 

 

 

A "laptop" power supply brick is a fraction of the price of a DCC Concepts PSU2.  The laptop supply can be ordered with the correct voltage, so meeting the NCE PowerCab specification. 

 

 

 

 

- Nigel

Thanks for that Nigel.

The DCC Concepts PSU2 is 18volts @ 5 amps & DCC Concepts say they use that all the time for their NCE Power Cabs.

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/18v-dc-at-2a-uk-a-medical-grade-power-supply-for-dc-dcc-systems-2-5mm-dc-plug/

NCE say it should be 15volts @ 3 amps max so they both can't be right 

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203935645-Adding-more-power-capacity-to-the-Power-Cab

Personally I think 18 volts @ 5 amps is to much for a Power Cab.

But I'm no expert so I bow to a higher power or should that be amps

Tony.

It was a reg power supply from a DCC Concepts PCU2 and I stupidly put 18V @ 5Amps through it! Totally my fault as it wa so bl##dy hot in the loft and my brain had also fried a little earlier. A couple of years back I fu##ed a 5 A Booster unit by doing something similar. I'm cursed by not being able to use trickery correctly.

Phil

Sorry to hear that Phil.

It was the amps that did it.

Anything over 3 amps & the Power Cab will get too hot.

It can probably be repaired.

Tony.

Old subject but just beware. I stupidly stuck 18V through mine yesterday and blew the Hand Set apart (well, burnt it out).

Idiot? yes I know.

Phil

Hi Phil.

Sorry to hear of your problem.

Was it a regulated power supply & how many amps was it putting out ?

Tony.

There's a product called Rustins Metal Lacquer which might be useful to you.

Have you tried swapping out the switch you are using to operate the tortoise ?

Dear All

 

Unfortunately I seem to have missed the GWR Railcar - at least the pre-war versions with the bright rooves.

 

How likely may a re-run of the shirt button version (item no. 4D-011-001) be?

 

Cheers

Mark

They have some available here & the price seems good as well.

https://www.dbmodels.co.uk/shop/Dapol?cat=8

What about soldering rail joiners ?

There can be issues with expansion and contraction of track due to temperature fluctuations.

Resistance can build up in the rail joiners after a while which would lead to voltage drop & running problems.

Dug out a 12 volt Dc adaptor & connected up vis the yellow wires.

Success it works fine so I guess the controller just takes an uncontrolled 12 volt DC output.

I'll use it on my study test tracks so I won't need to go downstairs every time I want to test a loco.

Here's a photo of my study test tracks.

Dc in front & DCC at the rear.

Thanks everyone for your help & suggestions.

Tony.

Thanks everyone for the replies & advice.

I'll take a further look later.

I'll start with a low AC input to the two yellow wires & report back.

Here are a few photos.

There is some writing on the back but its long since faded.

It looks like use "something" supply DC ?
When I get a chance I'll try a DC adaptor & see what happens ?

Tony

Hello Everyone.

While rooting around in some boxes I discovered a Colworth direct drive DC controller ?

Its a panel mounted unit that i used many years ago.

However I have no idea what the input voltage should be & can't seem to find any information anywhere on the net.

Can anyone shed some light or have any information relating to the unit ?

Thanks.

Tony.

Never use rail joiners to carry power as over time they will eventually fail.

Power bus wire & droppers is the way to go and you can never have to many droppers.

You could try here 

https://www.digitrains.co.uk/ecommerce/category.aspx?category=general-accessories%2ftransformers-and-power-supplies&pg=2&s=ProductNameAsc&ppp=10

Hi Tod.

Is that 40  metres / 130 ft  on a single track ?

What gauge are you using ?

Tony

I think this thread should be closed or else I need to start knocking down walls 

Anyone know a friendly bank manager because I've just blown this weeks grocery money 

This global service ebay offers is stupid. It is often the cheaper the item the higher the postage. Here in Brazil even with 60% duty the post and duty is never more than half of what they want to charge. A lot of the time the seller does not even know they've set it up. I always hunt out the damn box that needs ticking to get rid of it, because as an overseas buyer I just skip the ads even if it is something I want. I did write to one seller who said they could not be bothered to sort it out, well they lost £350 I think its still for sale too.

Just a money making racket 

Unless the ravages of time are playing havoc with my memory, I cannot recall having seen 10203 with such a vivid roof livery. My memory is of a much softer / lighter hade of pale primrose, albeit usually pretty dirty or alternatively the more standard grey. Colour photographs of the loco in service are not that common and do not seem to give a definite answer either way.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

I understand the roof will be the same colour as the lettering.

Following various threads on Maunsell restaurant cars, there has been doubt about

any of these cars ever appearing in crimson and cream in their original form.

ie. not buffet or cafeteria conversions.

Here is proof that at least one appeared in crimson and cream.

Have you any idea what the running number of this car is please or where this photo may be found ?

Can't make it out from the photo.

I checked the length......here is a picture of Flash Gordon girder resting on the bridge.

 

 

8 Flash.jpg

 

 

Its about 1/4" short at each end but that should be easy to fix with Evergreen, either at each end or in the centre. I am guessing its far too high though.........would this be more correct?

 

 

9 Height.jpg

 

 

I guess I need to check some photos......Anyone know the typical height at the centre?

 

 

The real problem is the side platform at each end of the bridge

 

 

10 bridge house.jpg

 

 

You can just see the support wheel underneath the bridge house platform. Gordon S said that his TT ran fine without them........ but he is far more skilled than I. I am not sure I want to take the risk.......I dont mind butchering a $10 plastic moulding.......a $400 ($500 now) turntable will be outside my comfort level. My instinct is to remove the house and side railings and leave the steps and maybe the machinery.........all heavily weathered.

 

Mind you I need to get some track laid and set it up first.!

Hello John.

There are quite a few photos here which should give you a good idea.

https://www.google.ie/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enIE756IE756&biw=1920&bih=949&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=BTHuWpWALtOtgAbriJvADA&q=gwr+turntables&oq=gwr+turntables&gs_l=img.12...0.0.0.189790.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.img..0.0.0....0.nKLegQ6LlIk

The EP sample is indeed very nice but does not suit either of the cars announced by Hornby.  7946 was a 1930 built car and 7869 1932 build.  Whereas the EP sample is only suitable for the six 1927 built cars 7858-7863.

 

Chris Knowles-Thomas

There is further discussion on the subject here which may be of interest to you.

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49682&st=0

£1,100 might or might not be too much as we don't have a clear list of the stock etc included.

 

However given what is clearly visible £100 is just a silly low valuation.

I think the £100 was a bit tongue in cheek 

As has been said its only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

A list of stock would have been interesting ?

Thank you Pete and Tony for such positive replies and such good news, Bill.

You're welcome Bill.

I have just spent a lot of money on a CMX track cleaning wagon and wonder if its safe to use meths in it.

I have for 15 yeas been using meths to clean Hornby track by hand with a cloth and am looking for an easier way to clean track.

Your assistance would be valued, Bill.

Yes Bill perfectly safe to use in your CMX.

If I select digital download why should it make a difference in price if I don't live in the UK ?

EDIT: Why should the offer be only available to UK residents ?

If its a digital download it should make no difference.

I do wonder about these companies sometimes.

It's showing as £55.90... so suggests that the previous price might have been a mistake.

 

It's a pity as I'd have done it for £1 per issue but not £2.

 

Which raises a good point about pricing of digital content. If content is cheap enough, people won't think twice before paying for it.

 

Guy

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