PS1 Board Question

maybe try putting a resistive load where the motor leads were and then try the sounds again!

Alan

Since PS/1 requires you to start at a low voltage until it drops into neutral, and then you interrupt power to start it in a direction, it's probably a bit much to expect normal operation from the sounds.

I'm assuming you're trying to use this as a dummy in command mode, right?

What is the odd behavior?

I start up the engine and it does normal sounds, then when I use the direction button and advance the voltage it idles up as expected but after several seconds it idles back down on it's own.  Second, once I have it running in a command environment, as it goes around the track it is clinking, clanking and making steam releasing sounds as it goes around.  I have run conventional and command engines on the same track, independent of course, and never had these anomalies.  

If resistance is needed on the motor leads as was suggested, how much?  What size and type of resistor would I need?

Thanks for the interest and the responses

Sounds like the hi voltage of command followed by a momentary loss of track voltage due to pickup bounce might be cycling it into reset #s.

I would put an 18V bulb or 2 in parallel in the motor lead circuit.

Make sure both pickups connected so you have continuity of power.

Before you start running trains, make sure this dummy is out of reset.  Cycle up power and change direction to get it running in a direction.  Then raise voltage to command value of 18V.

Still use the battery for continuity of power.

I think with a load, it may work better, though when I bench test the chips I don't have a load and they cycle with sounds fine.   G

Try locking it into forward, then you won't have the startup/reset issues due to being off.

A set of 1 farad Supercaps (4 wired in series) tied across the Power Pickup lines should help eliminate the clink clank issue, It will hold the power up briefly to eliminate the PS1 board seeing the up down power sweeps.  You need the 4 in series to get the Voltage we run. 1 Farad is a LOT of capacitance, it will act like a very fast charge and discharge battery.

Uhh... are you talking about the track pickups?  That's AC coming in, you need DC to charge capacitors.

Hi , sorry to be so infrequent here, internet issues and all make it tough sometimes to be online. Anyway...  thanks for all the input. Just a POI... I was getting the clink/clank issue primarily while pulling the engine around the layout as it crossed over switches (of which I have 2 and 3 right after one another and over 20 on the whole layout) and I think the switches were the issue.  I have have them powered with a separate transformer, but I'm seriously considering a rewire party, lol.  So FWI, I will give these suggestions a try and will let you know what works .

Thanks again.

Were you replying to Russell with this comment?