K-Line/Lionel on D/C?

First the Horn or bell would always be on.

Second,  Straight DC may damage the boards,it depends on make and design.

One add on K-Line whistle/bell controller actually made full DC voltage for a whistle/bell signal which could damage boards or even PW relays but it must have been compatible with their electronics at the time.

No real advantage I see on DC to the track. Modern engine motors are already DC as there is a bridge rectifier in the boards. K-Line at one time even added a 500 uf, (2, 1000 uf back to back) NP capacitor across the motor leads to remove ripple and make them run smoother.

A way to do it would be to bypass the board and hook the motor to track power. Reversing track voltage would reverse engine direction.

Dale H

Thanks Dale I think I`ll give them a miss as in the advert he stated"THE 3 CARS I HAD THIS RUNNING ON A CLUB TRACK USING DC VOLTAGE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS "

So it sounds like he could have damaged them.

James

I'm not seeing the up side to using DC in any case, so that may be a question that should never be asked.

DC has widely been used in the UK for many years Hornby etc so most club here run on it.

James

Most, if not all, of my modern loco instructions state (more or less): "Attempting to

operate this unit on direct current will damage the electronics", which makes perfect

sense, as they expect AC.

I believe that the latest MTH Proto-boards will accept DC or AC. I don't have the

instructions at hand. 

Just a thought.

I think if the engine only has an electronic e-unit, DC might work!

If there's no sound equipment in the locomotive, straight DC will work. The electronic E-units were designed to go both ways. Depending on the unit, you may be able to remove the horn/bell sound unit.

Worst case scenario is you remove all of the internal electronics and connect the motor(s) straight to the track connections. There are a number of sound systems out there designed for DC-powered trains that could be installed, plus the extra internal space in O gauge/scale equipment allows for bigger speakers.

James, don't forget, most MTH PS2 and all PS3 runs on DC.

There are several types of electronic E units on the market. Some use relays to reverse the engine, and some use FET's to reverse the engine, but some use SCR's or Triacs to reverse the engine. Those that use SCR's or Triacs do not operate on DC properly. These devices work by staying turned off until they are triggered and then they turn on fully until the voltage either turns off or reverses polarity. Depending on how they are triggered these will either run your engine at full speed or short out. Since this subject comes up frequently perhaps someone out there will have a list of units manufactured by the different makers that will run on AC or DC and those that will not. WE already know that most PS2 and all PS3 units will operate on DC and that Lionel does not recomend running there TMCC units on DC.

Al

The new American Flyer S gauge locos, specifically the ALCo PA's lettered for the Texas Special will run on AC, DC, TMCC, or DCC.