DC / DCC difference

[Mountain Goat]

For 12v turntables a basic train controller will do. I have even run lights from them.
For a decent DC controller Gaugemaster tend to be the most popular. Some need seperate transformers like the panel mounting or handheld types while others are complete. For a decent budget single controller many have gone for the Gaugemaster Combi. Search around for a good price as prices vary.

[AustralianLMS]

Yes grain of wheat lights were the lights run on 12 V back in the 70's.

What do you use to power lights now? Just a regular transformer from the local electronics store? (providing the volts etc is right (I need to brush up on this))

[AustralianLMS]

And yes ..... The Gaugemaster combi at $110 looks OK to me.

[Tricky Dicky]

If you use LEDs for layout lighting due to the low currents involved old phone chargers can run quite a few and various wall warts can be had cheaply that can run hundreds. What you need to look at is the max. current output of your PSU and as long as the current draw of your LEDs does not exceed that max. it will be OK. A PSU with a max. of 500mA in theory could supply up to 50 LEDs at an average of 10mA per LED. In practice it would be less since it is not a good idea to make a PSU run at its maximum over an extended time you should leave an overhead of 10%-20%.

Solenoid point motors can draw quite a hefty current in the order of 3A for some. However, it does not necessarily mean you have to have a PSU rated at that, a CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit) can use a lower current and store a charge similar to a camera flash unit which when released produces a momentary high current jolt sufficient to move a solenoid. If the PSU has a reasonable amperage say of 1A then the charging of the CDU is fairly rapid and not noticeable in operation. CDUs also prevent overheating damage occuring by holding down an activating switch too long. You should only need one CDU for a whole layout.

Surely you are not planning for a turntable on your proposed layout? I cannot see it leaving much room for anything else?

Richard

[AustralianLMS]

Thanks for the info Richard ....... And no I am not putting a turn table in, well not a full size one any way. I plan to construct a wagon turntable, but hand operated. The turntable question was an example within a general question.

I have now looked at a video of Gaugemaster DC unit online. It has a set of 16 v outlets. But I am getting ahead of myself.

The points arrived today.