Voltage Regulator ......what do I have here and how do you use it ? PICS

That regulates your line voltage (like what comes out of the wall outlet) in case your line voltage is not reliable. If you live in the states, you probably would never need one of those. The knob adjusts the output voltage to be what you want. It looks like you might be able to put 110 in and get 220 out...not sure about that though. It's AC

It might be a variac that can adjust an undervoltage or overvoltage input to a more standard 120V or 240V output.  Many years ago I made something like that for myself because the AC line regulation to our home was so poor.  It would drop down near 90V in the summer.

If the knob has a smooth rotation, it is probably a variac.  If it goes in steps to each lettered position, it is more likely a transformer with multiple primary taps controlled by a switch.

If it is a variac, it could be used to adjust a 120V input down to the lower value needed for model trains.  The 500W rating may apply to 120V or 240V.  Reducing the voltage would not increase the amount of current it could supply.

The connections look scary.  Who would design a device that would accept a 120V or 240V input plug with two male prongs?  And since just turning the knob could increase the voltage way above that needed for a model train layout, it would make it dangerous to use for that application.

Jeff

Thanks Jack / Jeff for the replies.

The knob rotates in "steps".  It was used to run HO trains, thereby requiring DC.

Wonder how he accomplished that?

Dave

Then it is a most likely a switch on a multi-tap transformer.

It might have been used to vary the AC input to a rectifier circuit that provided the DC to his train set.

Soo Line posted:

Thanks Jack / Jeff for the replies.

The knob rotates in "steps".  It was used to run HO trains, thereby requiring DC.

Wonder how he accomplished that?

Dave

Only by varying the input voltage to an additional AC to DC supply. 

So another transformer would have been needed and possibly plugged into the OUTPUT end?......to achieve DC.

Looks like the only thing I can safely and wisely use and remove .....may just be the volt meter.

Thanks again

It's simple but it's not. If the device has a transformer in it where the input and output are isolated, then all that is needed is a rectifier circuit and some capacitance maybe on the output. But if the regulator is not isolated input to output, then it requires an isolation transformer and a rectifier circuit. You can check that by connecting an ohmmeter from the input to the output with no power applied. You should get many megohms if the regulator is isolated. And go from there.

Do you have a use for this regulator?

Jack

No ohms reading as per pics.  And no, not planning to use it.  It was given to me and I was curious if it could be purposed.  I will take the V meter off and recycle the rest.

Thanks for your replies.

Dave

Soo Line posted:

Thanks Jack / Jeff for the replies.

The knob rotates in "steps".  It was used to run HO trains, thereby requiring DC.

Wonder how he accomplished that?

Dave

He used a regular HO powerpack plugged into this to get 120VAC for the HO pack to operate on.          j

I suspect it would be worth something to someone if you just got it running, I suspect that would be simple.

Since the gentleman mentioned running his trains in Europe, I imagine JohnActon is right. He used this to step down the 220v he got out of the wall socket to 110v, so he could use his American power pack. Probably with an adapter for the plug. It's hard to tell the scale from the pictures, but those inputs/outputs look like they might accept the round pin plug which is common in Europe.

Soo Line posted:

 

...  It was used to run HO trains, thereby requiring DC.

In Europe there is an HO standard that uses AC on the track.  The manufacturer Marklin comes to mind. As I recall the transformer/controller has some method to impress a higher-voltage AC voltage pulse on the track and the engines have a reversing relay which toggles in response.

   NICKAIX nailed it. 220v to 110v stepdown for using low voltage on old European power lines.  

   It may double voltage too, but likely at less than half the amp output compated to the input.  One way to tell.... test it. You have a Voltmeter; just put it on a power strip that has a breaker just in case.

  I'd keep it around for when you have a 220v output but need 110v. (About 4 times in my life; but oh boy it would have been handy)