I have read and been told that I can install a bridge rectifier in my Lionel 3 rail O gauge engine to allow it to run continuously in one direction. (I run trains for public display and they only run forward.)
Can anyone tell me what specific rectifier I need to buy? I remember reading an article a couple years ago in CTT saying they are avaialbe at Raidio Shack for about $2.
Help.
Mike
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If it's an AC motor, there is no rectifier needed.
If DC, this one should be enough for up to four motors:
Wow! That was quick.
Glad you were reading the Forum today.
I believe I am dealing with a DC motor in this Lionel engine. It is a small can motor and the Lionel Tech suggested the Bridge Rectifier when I mentioned the train I was working with.
How do I know which leg of the BR to attach the wires to? Or does it matter?
Mike
The middle two "AC" leads go to track power, the "+" & "-" go to the two motor terminals.
If it goes the wrong way, switch the "+" & "-".
Yeah. It matters.
first, what are you doing? Are you putting AC on the track to run older Lionel? Or are your motors all can motors?
if all can motors, all you need to do is put the rectifier at the power supply, and hook each motor directly to the track supply. The AC output of the power supply goes to the leads marked with a squiggle, and the output to track comes from plus/ minus.
if you absolutely have to have AC on the track, you will need one of these in each locomotive with a can motor. Same hookup.
if you are converting series wound motors to run in one direction only, it doesn't matter whether you use AC or DC - you do not need rectifiers.
opinion.
I installed a 6 amp 50 volt bridge rectifier from Radio Shack in my Williams engines for constant forward direction, they had dual motors.
Lee F.
Could you tell us specifically which transformer and engines you have? Model numbers and/or photos? 
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