DZ-1000 With DC Voltage

The LEDs don't work on DC,it need 14 VAC.

Dale H

rtr 12,   Using AC for your switchmachine is designed that way from Altas. You could use your DC Transformer for "only" your accessories . I wouldn't use DC for your Switch machine differant currect flow. What IS the voltage on your DC Transfromer it should be  at 12 volts ? Your AC Transformer is designed walk around 16 Volt AC.

Good Luck, John

I was afraid the DZ1000 would not work on DC, since it did not when I tried briefly. After seeing it didn't work I quit, not wanting to damage it before I asked. I am becoming quite fond of my sole DZ1000 though. Nice piece of equipment. 

The Atlas switch machines work just fine on DC. Others here have reported using DC with them, that's where I got the idea. They actually seem to work better on my layout with DC as well. Some are sluggish with AC and snap right into place with DC. I had been running them on 18VAC. Most worked pretty well, but some were still sluggish.

rtr12:

I have just finished wiring my control board for both Atlas O and DZ1000 switch motors. I am using Rectifier diodes to convert AC to DC for the Atlas O machines based on experience. I had major issues with the machines burning out using AC voltage. I don't believe it was the machines themselves but the cheap switch control that came with the turnouts. I never experienced the problem when using the Atlas O heavy duty switch control. However since the Atlas O switch machine is electro-mechanical, DC will let it run cooler. The DZ1000 however is a circuit board built for AC voltage. I thought about trying DC but opted to stick with AC voltage. The decision was made mostly because it is very easy to wire the switch machine for non-rail but one needs to connect a ground wire from one rail of track to do this and of course the track runs on AC voltage. 

Joe

Thanks for the info. You are right about the Atlas switch machines, it's the switch machine controller or operator with heavy finger (and leaving it there for too long) that burns up the twin coil switch machines and not the machine itself. This is a problem with all twin coil machines, not just Atlas. So far I have had good results running the Atlas switch machines on DC. Might just be me, but they actually seem to work better on DC. I have a small DC power supply for them that is working so far. Diodes or bridge rectifiers and AC transformers, similar to what you describe with the diodes, might be the best bet for more power. I have had trouble finding a larger DC power supply that was suitable and reasonably priced.

I only have one DZ1000 and tried it with DC. It didn't hurt it, but couldn't get it to do anything either. I have gotten confirmation from you s and others posts that it won't work and wasn't something I was doing wrong, so I gave up on that idea. I am growing fond of my DZ1000 though, it's a very nice switch machine, IMO.