Lionel Passenger Cars Current inrush and the TMCC Lock On.

I have noticed that on my Z4000 but it will be more of problem with a source that goes from zero to over ten volts instantly like the TMCC Lock On which switches on at 13 volts or a Lionel brick which goes right to 18 volts. If you use a conventional transformer and gradually increase the voltage it shouldn't be an issue with tripping breakers.

Pete

He's going to have to start the train a few cars at a time Marty! 

Take the oversized supercaps out of the Lionel cars, problem solved!

I never did understand why Lionel thought we needed the cars to stay lit for several minutes after power was removed!

This is interesting.  To John’s point, here’s his led conversion kits on three and a half cars, telephone poles with 10 grain of wheat bulbs, and a WS led depot.  About 3/4 amp.

TedW posted:

This is interesting.  To John’s point, here’s his led conversion kits on three and a half cars, telephone poles with 10 grain of wheat bulbs, and a WS led depot.  About 3/4 amp.

Compared to Marty you are a slacker Ted!  Huge amperage difference.

Yeah this wasn't meant to turn into a Lionel bash.  Just providing what I observed.  While I agree that it's over kill, I'm pretty sure this design has been around for some time.

MartyE posted:

Yeah this wasn't meant to turn into a Lionel bash. 

Absolutely, you are right.  Isn’t my intent either.  Your topic really piqued my curiosity.

MartyE posted:

Yeah this wasn't meant to turn into a Lionel bash.  Just providing what I observed.  While I agree that it's over kill, I'm pretty sure this design has been around for some time.

No bashing intended, it's just amusing that the law of unintended consequences strikes here.  A simple inrush limiting resistor would solve the problem of the cars, clearly the LED's don't use nearly as much power as the initial surge.  Probably sticking a 2W 50-75 ohm resistor in series with the power supply would probably totally solve this inrush issue.  FWIW, this is how I handle inrush current in my YLB, I have a small value resistor to limit the total current that can be consumed charging the Super-Cap.

MartyE posted:

Yeah this wasn't meant to turn into a Lionel bash.  Just providing what I observed.  While I agree that it's over kill, I'm pretty sure this design has been around for some time.

Marty, 

Friends were running their 18 car train made up of K-Line and Lionel heavy weights containing 4 incandescent bulbs each, with two engines and smoke units on they are near 8 amps most of the time even well lubed.  And sometimes over... 

BobbyD posted:

Friends were running their 18 car train made up of K-Line and Lionel heavy weights containing 4 incandescent bulbs each, with two engines and smoke units on they are near 8 amps most of the time even well lubed.  And sometimes over... 

I can help you with that issue.

 Passenger Car LED Lighting Kit

BobbyD posted:

MartyE posted:

Yeah this wasn't meant to turn into a Lionel bash.  Just providing what I observed.  While I agree that it's over kill, I'm pretty sure this design has been around for some time.

Marty, 

Friends were running their 18 car train made up of K-Line and Lionel heavy weights containing 4 incandescent bulbs each, with two engines and smoke units on they are near 8 amps most of the time even well lubed.  And sometimes over... 

Try that with a pair of dual Pullmor motored Lionel F3s and you will be Waaaaay over ten amps. Thats when you bring in reinforcements.

25 amps at 20 volts.

Pete

Perfect for welding your wheels to the rails.

Isn’t that the company where Wyle E Coyote gets his train transformers?  It never ends well for him.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

BobbyD posted:

Friends were running their 18 car train made up of K-Line and Lionel heavy weights containing 4 incandescent bulbs each, with two engines and smoke units on they are near 8 amps most of the time even well lubed.  And sometimes over... 

I can help you with that issue.

 Passenger Car LED Lighting Kit

I sent him the link to get your kit and showed him the ones we purchased John!