seems set up for two track "operation." one track under the structure and another one for the chute to empty onto. how far apart are these tracks? trying to figure out possible placement on my layout.
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The catalog says the structure is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2", so if one track runs under and in the middle of the legs, the side track should be 5 1/2" on center with the first track to keep the legs of the structure equal distance from both tracks.
ah, analytical. seems right to me. thanks.
The red LED on top of the coaling tower has the same
flashing circuit as the cell tower so the red LED will
flash.
flashing circuit as the cell tower so the red LED will
flash.
quote:Originally posted by pgbsr:
The catalog says the structure is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2", so if one track runs under and in the middle of the legs, the side track should be 5 1/2" on center with the first track to keep the legs of the structure equal distance from both tracks.
This is correct I have this tower, 5 1/2" from middle rail to middle rail locos line up under the chute perfect.
quote:Originally posted by pa:
The red LED on top of the coaling tower has the same
flashing circuit as the cell tower so the red LED will
flash.
My red light does not flash, it is on constantly,nothing on the box or intructions indicating its supposed to not sure if this is a defect, but I'm O.K. with it. I happened to take notice of tall structures locally at night,and generally speaking its the overly tall stuff like radio towers and such that have flashing red lights. Shorter structures like water towers I've seen with constant red lights, and I believe a steam era coaling tower is shorter than most water towers these days.
Was there in real life any coaling towers in the 50's with red beacons?
quote:Was there in real life any coaling towers in the 50's with red beacons?
Sure, all the railroads with radio communication in the steam loco cabs had them!
RickO:
It is my understanding that for the red light on top on the cell tower to blink, the supply voltage must be cranked up to 16 to 18 volts.
Happy railroading,
Don
It is my understanding that for the red light on top on the cell tower to blink, the supply voltage must be cranked up to 16 to 18 volts.
Happy railroading,
Don
quote:Originally posted by DGJONES:
RickO:
It is my understanding that for the red light on top on the cell tower to blink, the supply voltage must be cranked up to 16 to 18 volts.
Happy railroading,
Don
Tried that when I first got it Don,18,14 and everything in between. one member recommended trying a 9v battery, that made it flash. Like I said, however I justfied it
and outside of that I'm really happy with it, looks great with the lights off with all of the other lighting.Besides, it goes well with Lionels new legacy coal reloading sound effects.quote:it goes well with Lionels new legacy coal reloading sound effects.
oh, good one!
Lionel put the same flashing circuit in the cell tower, coaling tower
and the Sunoco yellow tank.There was a capacitor left off the
flashing circuit board so the red LED would not flash unless DC or
a high AC voltage was applied. Lionel would correct the cell tower
problem by addind a capacitor to the flashing circuit board.
There is nothing in the directions for the coaling tower about the red LED flashing but there is a flashing circuit board under the coaling tower roof.
If the coaling tower is powered by 12V DC, the red LED will flash.The 12VDC must be filtered DC like from a battery not the rectified DC from a DC transformer.
and the Sunoco yellow tank.There was a capacitor left off the
flashing circuit board so the red LED would not flash unless DC or
a high AC voltage was applied. Lionel would correct the cell tower
problem by addind a capacitor to the flashing circuit board.
There is nothing in the directions for the coaling tower about the red LED flashing but there is a flashing circuit board under the coaling tower roof.
If the coaling tower is powered by 12V DC, the red LED will flash.The 12VDC must be filtered DC like from a battery not the rectified DC from a DC transformer.
How would one do this?
quote:Originally posted by Forrest Jerome:
How would one do this?
Thanks for the clear explanation pa, I think I remember bits and pieces of this info being posted when these towers were first delivered. I belive there was also mention that the "throttle side" of an H.O. transformer is DC and could be used to power the lights and make the red one flash.
Powering the coaling tower with DC will make the red LED flash. All
that is needed is a bridge rectifier and filter capacitor. Connect
the bridge rectifier to the 12v accessary output of a transformer with
a filter capacitor connected to the output of the rectifier. A capacitot
of 220 microfarads 50v will work.Input voltage from the transforner of
12-14 Volts AC will give about 20vDC to the tower. This circuit will also
make the cell tower flash.
that is needed is a bridge rectifier and filter capacitor. Connect
the bridge rectifier to the 12v accessary output of a transformer with
a filter capacitor connected to the output of the rectifier. A capacitot
of 220 microfarads 50v will work.Input voltage from the transforner of
12-14 Volts AC will give about 20vDC to the tower. This circuit will also
make the cell tower flash.
The early versions of this tower had a bad circuit board that prevents flashing. I have this tower and Lionel sent me the proper board (no charge).
