ERR AC/DC Commander Board and LED's

The ( + ) on the LED lights go to the ground on DC commander's, The ( - ) on the LED lights go to the DC commander board.  I use Christmas tree LED's and use a 1K resistor on the ( + ) wire to the LED's.

Switch the wires between the LED's and the Commander board to if they work.

Other forum members maybe able to help you if switching wires does not work.

The LED's should work with a 470 (or larger) resistor in series from the lighting outputs with the positive side to frame ground.  (the common terminals on the ERR board are also frame ground).  If you still can't get them to light, try a .01uf capacitor across the outputs of the lights on the ERR board to the common.

Hey guys, first time posting in this forum. Finally had time to install AC commander on a standard gauge lionel #10. Using Cab 1 mode engine responds as I expected, no issues changing direction, and light sources drive to what seems to be source voltage, but DC, not the AC supplied to track. Any chance the schematic for the lamp drivers is available online? Obviously the engine is old so lamps are bulbs, not LED's. I'd like to drive them through the controller, wired for direction. I'd like to better understand the design of the commander as to not damage it. If the commander is design to power DC I'm thinking about using it to drive a relay to source AC to the bulb. Also, what seems strange is the lamp voltage is negative. So with track source at 18vac, and engine stopped, as I change direction I can see -18vdc on one pin, then the other as I change direction.

Again, if possible I'd like to review the design of the source as to then decide how best to drive the existing bulbs.

Thanks.

The AC Commander is designed to drive incandescent 12-14V bulbs.   The actual voltage applied to the bulbs is half-wave track power in command mode.  Also, the reason you see negative voltage is the lamp outputs only see the negative half of the track power waveform.

I suspect the bulbs in your locomotive are already compatible with the AC Commander, so you're all set, just wire them and go.

Gunrunner, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Anytime Scott, glad to help.

Perfect. Thanks for the info. 

Hey there, back again, keeping this post here as theme is building on AC commander... Few more questions. Thanks in advance.

1) The circuit used to drive a smoke unit... any web reference to technical details... another 1/2 wave? Or is this DC? Any details on wattage or current the commander circuit can source?

2) Same on the coupler circuits. I'm asking because I might not use them to drive couplers since this is a standard gauge engine. Not sure what I'll use them for but I'd like to know the details regarding the load they can handle.

3) Any reference to the connector part number on commander? I'd like to wire a connector for testing so, if available, I could use the part numbers of the on-board and mating connector. Thanks.

In case anyone is interested... I have are arduino reading state of turnouts (Ross turnouts), and a control panel, and blocks for train location, etc... driving accessories and turnouts. I'm now heading into serial port connection talking to legacy base... not so much to control the motors of engines but rather to have some fun with accessories I add to the layout, engines, cars, etc... most likely adding mini-commander to some cars later. I'm about a year into a simple standard gauge layout using this to reignite my hardware engineering background, and have some fun with automation.

Out of curiosity... for the guys engineering their own electronics... do you own an oscilloscope? If so, can you share specs for recommendation?

Thanks, Dave

Rigol has a great line of digital storage scopes at low prices. I have a DS1102E which is kind of a bargain for a storage scope. I used Tektronix scopes for decades, my favorite was the 400 series, the 485 specifically. But for my own pocket, I chose the used 2215 which is more than adequate here at home and doesn't have the chronic issues with the input attenuators that the 400 series suffers from.

So I would say a Tek 2215 used or a new Rigol in the 50 or 100 MHz versions.

See Embedded Answers.

ddyson15 posted:

Hey there, back again, keeping this post here as theme is building on AC commander... Few more questions. Thanks in advance.

1) The circuit used to drive a smoke unit... any web reference to technical details... another 1/2 wave? Or is this DC? Any details on wattage or current the commander circuit can source?

The smoke output of the R2LC (or R4LC) in command mode is half-wave track power, it passes the positive cycles.

2) Same on the coupler circuits. I'm asking because I might not use them to drive couplers since this is a standard gauge engine. Not sure what I'll use them for but I'd like to know the details regarding the load they can handle.

The coupler outputs are full wave track power, they're timed to actuate about 1/4 second.

3) Any reference to the connector part number on commander? I'd like to wire a connector for testing so, if available, I could use the part numbers of the on-board and mating connector. Thanks.

What connector?  The AC Commander has screw terminals for most connections, the coupler connectors and the sound board connector are all JST-EH family connector, readily available at Digikey or Mouser.

In case anyone is interested... I have are arduino reading state of turnouts (Ross turnouts), and a control panel, and blocks for train location, etc... driving accessories and turnouts. I'm now heading into serial port connection talking to legacy base... not so much to control the motors of engines but rather to have some fun with accessories I add to the layout, engines, cars, etc... most likely adding mini-commander to some cars later. I'm about a year into a simple standard gauge layout using this to reignite my hardware engineering background, and have some fun with automation.

Out of curiosity... for the guys engineering their own electronics... do you own an oscilloscope? If so, can you share specs for recommendation?

I have the ATTEN ADS1102CAL 100mhz dual-trace digital 'scope.  It's very similar in specifications as the Rigol, but if I had it to do over again, I'd probably pick the Rigol.  OTOH, the ATTEN is working fine for me, so I have no reason to replace it.

Thanks, Dave

Again, thanks for the follow ups. Huge help. Regards, Dave