Looking to run On30 locos with DCS

Nick,

   This is a heck of a good question and actually over my head, maybe Barry can

educate us both.  This is one question that is not answered in his book,  that I remember.

PCRR/Dave

Nick,

If your On30 engines can operate on AC power, yes you can operate them from the DCS Remote conventionally using a Variable Channel.

If they won't operate on AC, you could still use the Variable channels by rectifying AC into DC voltage at the output terminals of the Variable channels.

On30, as supplied by Bachmann and others, will not run on AC.  You'll need to do as Barry suggested.  Most On30 from Bachmann these days is DCC ready or has DCC onboard, and will also run just fine with most any DC power pack.

Gents,

Thank you for the responses....much help....

Nick B.

Boston Metro Hi-Railers

If MTH makes the H.O. Proto-3 conversion boards available for separate sale, you could use on of those to operate your On30 via DCS under AC. Otherwise, your best bet is to get an inexpensive DCC system for the On30. That's what we're looking at for our On30 line under construction. Otherwise, you're looking at putting a full-wave bridge on a TIU variable channel with a DPDT swich to put DC onto the rails (watch the voltage.)

Hi Nick,

MTH already makes HO PS3 engines that run on DCS with DC current.  They've also cataloged, but not yet delivered, HO PS3 engines that will run on DCS on AC current.  I would suggest running your On30 engines on conventional DC for now as Barry described. If you want to convert the engines to command control you can buy an HO "Ready-To-Rail" F3 with PS3 for under $140 and cannibalize the parts.  I would be inclined to run conventional until an inexpensive engine with the AC electronics is released.