Help with 192 Control tower problem

Try a 10 ohm 1 watt resistor. That is just a small DC motor and I can't seeing the resistor getting that hot, the motor draws very little current.

Hi Brad

I had a similar problem with the Lionel Wind Turbines being too fast at 14V.

I used an AC/DC Buck Converter Step Down Module.....$1.99 from China.

You simply solder your AC IN to one side and your DC OUT to the other side.

The small brass screw on top of the blue item you see in the pic is an adjustment screw to decide on the speed you will want.

It worked really well for me with the Turbines and I have 3 Turbines running off one module.

We would just need to know if the AC in to the tower is converted to DC for the motor for this to work.  I suspect it is.

 Dave

Dave,

   Their is what looks like a diode soldered between the two motor terminals.

Chuck,

   FYI, there is a 14v light bulb as well.

Soo Line:   Who did you use to order these  AC to DC Buck Converters from in China?  Are they still available, and what payment form did you use?    Also what are the dimensions of the circuit board ?

          Could several diodes in series be used to step down the voltage ?

Thanks  Dennis M.

Dennis,

  Here is a link to where he got them.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AC...?hash=item3ccc46d49e

Dennis

Brad provided the exact link to these.  I had them inside a month to Canada.  I use Paypal.

You can use the idea you posted but this is so much easier and you can change the voltage at will by simply rotating the little screw up or down.

And as mentioned........it will control at least 3 items (as in my case) maybe more.  I've not tested any further.

I hid the little board in a building nearby so you don't see it.

Dave

Using individual diodes in series (search "1N4004" on eBay where they are 25 for $1 with free shipping) would yield a more compact solution.  Per one eBay listing that board is listed as 54mm x 24mm (LxW) so about 2" x 1".  But that large capacitor looks taller than the board is wide so if space is an issue..

You also can get the module on Amazon at a slightly higher price (search "AC DC step down module" on Amazon).

Fine-tune speed by adjusting the number of diodes - obviously not as convenient as the screwdriver adjustment on the converter module but I'd think you'd do this once and never touch it again.  It sounds like it's a DC motor inside but one advantage of the diode-method is it can be used to lower the voltage in increments to an AC motor too.