Rebuilt Crosti 9f

[Richard Gawler]

Making a complete guess, perhaps the motor starts to run on a voltage lower than the minimum output voltage from the controller. If so, here is an idea you can build for pennies. It is a variation on the resistors idea and it exploits the characteristic of semiconductors made from silicon. I am also guessing, the maximum speed is a secondary consideration.


Buy six 3 amp (or bigger) silicon diodes and connect them together like this. Then see if things are any better. If so, you could put the diodes permanently inside the loco or tender, and you will have a loco tailored to work on your controller.

Technically, the circuit uses the forward voltage drop of a silicon P-N junction to reduce the voltage from the controller across its speed range. The drop is about 0.7 volts per diode, so this lops off about 2 volts in all. Make sure you use silicon diodes not germanium ones.

 

[simond]

That may well work, if the controller is “jumping in” at some non-negligible voltage.

Might be worth measuring the track voltage at minimum speed, to see what the controller is chucking out.

Might also be worth trying with one pair, then two pairs, then eventually three if the previous arrangement isn’t satisfactory.

 

[chigley]

Mike, I use a g/master controller [dial control]

Ken

 

[40057]

Mike,

That will be TouchCab. We used it to run Aberbeeg with it and we ran a fairly intensive operating scheme. You will have to fit a chip to each loco and have a DCC control set; we used Lenz. This DCC control set will have to be capable of taking control instructions from something other than the manufactureres hand sets. In addition you will need a WiFi router for the phone to talk to, this router will need to talk to the DCC control system by USB link thorough an interface unit. Lenz make it easy by offering everything except the router and for that TP-Link do a very nice little box.
This method is very flexible but still offers loads of buttons to control loads of functions offered on the chip. TouchCab was bought up by the lads who were going to give us a ready to run HST set in 7mm, so as the HST seems to be a unicorn, it could be that TouchCab has become the same. Oh, you will need an Iphone to run Touchcab on.

Alternatively a Lenz starter system will give simple control as long as you can fit and wire a chip into a loco.

Simon

You lost me at the first acronym.

I am reminded why I prefer alcohol or a key to make my engines go.

I do like to understand how things I use work, and, in my ignorance, I have not the remotest idea what these various electronic parts are actually doing.

 

[Dog Star]

I have not the remotest idea what these various electronic parts are actually doing.

Neither do I..... the combination of those parts is a diseasel with "noise" that suggests, nicely, the grunt that goes with the effort. Not sure about the seagulls that accompany our fleet of 37/4s... nor the driver who keeps asking "are we all aboard?" before the Wickham sets off.

 

[spikey faz]

In an effort to get a running locomotive, I've added pickups to the tender. It was an easy option compared to installing them on the loco itself, although I may install them later.



I've been running it up and down my bit of track and it actually works! No shorts or stalling. I need to get hold of a little plug and socket to link the wires between the tender and loco. I've seen some diddly Expo ones which might work, but any suggestions will be welcome.

The gearbox must be quite efficient as the loco runs on a bit even after power is turned off. The benefits of helical gears I presume.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Plug and socket will connect this


..to this


Hopefully!

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Brake rigging now in place as well.



Mike

 

[Dog Star]

If I may, please expand upon how you are collecting track power using the wheels of the tender.

thank you, Graham

 

[spikey faz]

If I may, please expand upon how you are collecting track power using the wheels of the tender.

thank you, Graham

Small springy pickups on each side of the tender.

Hope this helps, but happy to add more info/pics if needed.

Mike

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Mike,

google 0.11 centre plugs and sockets as used by the computer boys.

HTH

OzzyO.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

PS. if your only using two wires use a three pin plug and socket, and connect the wires to the left and centre pin and socket. That way if you connect them the wrong way round the loco will not run.

HTH

OzzyO.

 

[Dog Star]

Small springy pickups on each side of the tender. Hope this helps, but happy to add more info/pics if needed.

Yes, thank you.

Why is there some PCB strip, with the copper face towards the track, to be seen in the photos of earlier today?

 

[spikey faz]

Yes, thank you.

Why is there some PCB strip, with the copper face towards the track, to be seen in the photos of earlier today?

Hmm. Not sure which photo you mean. There's PCB strip glued to the underside of the tender with the springy wires soldered on.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Mike,

google 0.11 centre plugs and sockets as used by the computer boys.

HTH

OzzyO.

Don't suppose you've got a link to said items? I've done a Google search and getting hits on some quite large plugs and sockets - not really what I'm after.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Dog Star]

Hmm. Not sure which photo you mean. There's PCB strip glued to the underside of the tender with the springy wires soldered on.

Sorted, thank you.

 

[Richard Gawler]

Don't suppose you've got a link to said items? I've done a Google search and getting hits on some quite large plugs and sockets - not really what I'm after.

Thanks
Mike

Try a search for "Molex connector", there are lots of varieties to choose from. They are polarised to stop wrong polarity and the smaller ones have pins at 0.1 inch pitch.

 

[chigley]

I get mine from that well known auction site, just put in 2pin micro connectors,

Ken

 

[spikey faz]

I get mine from that well known auction site, just put in 2pin micro connectors,

Ken

I've found and ordered something I think is suitable off eBay. I shall report back in due course as to suitability.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

And I've made a bit of progress on the valve gear. Pic below is a bit rushed, so not as clear as I'd normally like, but you get the idea.


This particular 9f (Crosti) appears to have retained the LNER style return crank through its entire life (or certainly in the pictures I've reviewed).

Mike