Question about powering Legacy engines with batteries

jonnyspeedOGR Forum Member

I am working o a 2-rail Hi-rail layout idea. Running MTH Proto 3/2 engines is a no brainer. I would like to figure out a way to also run Lionel engines on 2-rail Gargraves track without converting them to two rail. I was thinking of using battery power. In my tests with my Alco S2 I found that simply applying DC power will not work. Am I correct in assuming that I would need to apply DC power after the bridge rectifier? As I understand, it picks up AC from the track and converts it to DC in the Bridge rectifier. Is this circuit exposed? Or is it buried on the board? I would like to run the existing Legacy control and sound with a battery placed in a dummy engine, freight car, tender, etc...

5/1/131:49 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

My sense is it's not the bridge rectifier that's the issue. Since a bridge rectifier would pass the DC to the electronics regardless of polarity. So, if DC was going to work after the bridge, it should work before the bridge.

5/1/139:02 PM

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chuckOGR Forum Member

I think that the TMCC circuitry uses the AC as a "beat" frequency for some of the electronics. You would need to carry a battery pack and some kind of inverter to switch back to AC before feeding it into the electronics. At this point why bother?

5/2/136:11 AM

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Dennis SOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Just a thought Lionel (American Flyer) run Legacy on two rails.

5/2/138:22 AM

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FlashOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by Dennis S:

Just a thought Lionel (American Flyer) run Legacy on two rails.

Yes, TMCC will work with 2 rail american flyer but its still AC current.

5/2/138:34 AM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Here would be a good place for Jon Z to tell us what actually happens.

5/2/138:44 AM

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jonnyspeedOGR Forum Member

Thanks guys. The new AF offerings will also operate on DC. I am thinking this may be more hassle than its worth. That's too bad. I wanted to be able to run my Lionel stuff too. I suppose I could always gut them an put dead rail DCC in, but that doesn't sound like much fun. I'll shoot Jon an email and see what he says.

5/2/1310:15 AM

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