Why does when you wire in series verses parallel that you cut the voltage down on dc motors in william engines?
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If you apply 14 volts to the track with a two motor loco with the motors wired in parallel, each motor will receive 14 volts. With the same two motors wired in series each motor will use seven volts each to total 14 volts that is applied.
Allan O
when you wire in series, voltage is divided among the items in series. so, if you wire two motors in series, each gets 1/2 voltage...if the transformer is set at 12 volts, each motor gets only 6 volts, and the loco goes (about) 1/2 as fast.
2 lights wired in series will each get half the voltage, so the lights will be half as bright as if they were wired in parallel
ed
quote:2 lights wired in series will each get half the voltage, so the lights will be half as bright as if they were wired in parallel
The lamps have to have the same resistance (impedance) in order for this to work.
Best Choice:
Adding diodes in series with each motor reduces the voltage delivered to the motor and reduces the top end speed. This is the best choice if you have space on the chassis for these diodes.
Alternate Choice:
Otherwise wiring the 2 motors in series also reduces the voltage applied to the motors. The track voltage is "shared" between the two motors.
I use the diode method to adjust (equalize) the top end speed for two engines coupled in tandem.
Originally Posted by Dale H:
The problem is when the engine turns a corner or one truck is loaded more then the other the voltage is no longer distributed evenly. This is sometimes a problem as one truck can stall and the other spin faster.
Dale H
Have 6 engines wired in series and pull trains up to 30 cars. Never have seen that happen.
Thanks for all the information fellas. You answered all my questions. The williams engines sure seem to run a lot quite than lionel and a lot smoother to me.
Originally Posted by Dale H:
Originally Posted by pennsyk4:
Originally Posted by Dale H:
The problem is when the engine turns a corner or one truck is loaded more then the other the voltage is no longer distributed evenly. This is sometimes a problem as one truck can stall and the other spin faster.
Have 6 engines wired in series and pull trains up to 30 cars. Never have seen that happen.
It happens you just dont notice the effect. It is worse on some engines than others. I used to series wire everything but I had a GG1 Williams that just would not run with series wiring. Switched to the diode method and it works fine. You can also tap the 2 ends of the string for constant voltage lighting,directional and non directional.
Dale Manquen actually posted an equalizing circuit once to address the problem.
Dale H
By flipping wires, used the principle
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 
Originally Posted by Dale H:
Originally Posted by pennsyk4:
Have 6 engines wired in series and pull trains up to 30 cars. Never have seen that happen.
It happens you just dont notice the effect...
Not trying to be a wise guy, but if you can't notice it, how can you be sure it's happening?
Thanks again for all your information. You fellas are a wealth of information. a fella can learn so much thanks to all you good people , thanks again,, charlie
If your locomotive has traction tired wheels in both trucks, you won't get wheel slip with series wiring. Without traction tires you will observe the effect of one motor speeding up if the other slows. In the extreme, one motor will stall while the other spins free. Dale H, did that Williams GG1 have traction tires? I know some of the old Williams didn't. I had a Williams Wabash Trainmaster without tires that was very slippery.
