Fastrack question

Welcome to LionChief!(& LionChief +)

DP,

    If the wireless accessory is attached directly to the FasTrack it needs Track power to operate, the same way your FTCC wireless Switches need track power to operate via remote control from your TMCC Cab1 or Legacy Cab2.

PCRR/Dave

I'm not versed on the Legacy or TMCC systems.  On strictly conventional layouts, wiring an accessory to track power not only drains power from the train, but causes you to have the loco in neutral when operating that accessory.  So most, if not all operators choose to run the accessories from either fixed voltage posts or in the case of transformers like the ZW, use one of the throttles that isn't powering a track.  

So how does the fastback accessory take-off work ?   

The 6-81313 does use track power. LionChief is constant voltage AC or DC and draw little power (2A). The new accessories require low amperage also.

The 6-81314 provides a separate power option with a switch and port to connect a LionChief Power Pack.

The plug and play accessories can be wired and activated the way that you are used to doing it.

Thanks Carl. 

I don't have, or at present plan to have, any of the new P&P accessories, so I haven't been following the operational aspects of these items. I have plenty of the older versions for now. However, I know that different accessories often operate best at different voltages, so for best operation it is preferable for each accessory to have its own variable power supply. I have about five old small starter-set transformers, and a ZW, all of which can be used to power individual accessories at their optimum voltages (or that's the idea, anyway).  

I'm curious to know how these various new P&P accessories are controlled to achieve their optimum individual power levels. 

<<<I'm curious to know how these various new P&P accessories are controlled to achieve their optimum individual power levels. >>>

The new accessories, mostly, have small DC can motors and circuit boards.  I've found they operate the same way at 12 or any voltage up to maximum.  Once they get operating voltage, increasing the voltage has no effect on the accessory.  Fine tuning not required.

Yes, they don't build 'em like they used to and in this case that's a good thing.

Those accessories that require tweaking voltages for proper operation were crude designs using crude manufacturing techniques and crude materials. Modern accessories require no such "tuning" or the pile of transformers and rats' nest of wire that comes with it.

You'd think everyone would agree that it's a "good" thing. Apparently it's okay for a train accessory to be broken out of  the box? What happened to, "I paid $X for this thing, it should work out of the box, period!"

. . . You'd think everyone would agree . . .

LOL!

Pete

breezinup posted:

I don't have, or at present plan to have, any of the new P&P accessories, so I haven't been following the operational aspects of these items. I have plenty of the older versions for now. However, I know that different accessories often operate best at different voltages, so for best operation it is preferable for each accessory to have its own variable power supply. I have about five old small starter-set transformers, and a ZW, all of which can be used to power individual accessories at their optimum voltages (or that's the idea, anyway).  

I'm curious to know how these various new P&P accessories are controlled to achieve their optimum individual power levels. 

I agree.  The older accessories do require differing voltages depending on the accessory.  The newer ones with can motors are an improvement however, as Matt has pointed out.  That said, having had a layout full of post war operating accessories at one time, it took me quite some time, usually weeks, to fine tune the voltage and accessory so that anyone visiting my layout could operate it.