I have a question, If I may. I ordered a couple of these from eBay. I'd forgotten that they were AC powered. I'm in NA, so DC is what I have. I've read that the tractor will run on DC, but will not reverse. Is it possible to convert the unit to DC? Perhaps a DCC decoder? Or is it as easy as swapping out the motor? Thanks for the video, and any guidance you may have.
Hi Steve, these are DC powered, they use a 12v supply to the rails from the controller. Switching polarity reverses the direction of travel and is done by your controller. This is called analog control, and DCC is the digital method of controlling, which uses an AC voltage at the tracks (17v or thereabouts) and sends digital commands to individual locomotives. The controller is the device that accepts AC voltage and converts it to DC. If you've ordered off eBay, check if a controller is included with your purchase, and if it is, what its supply voltage is. Typically, UK/Euro voltages are 220-240v depending on country, while North America is 120v if I'm not mistaken. So if you're getting a controller with the set off eBay, you'll need to also purchase a step-up transformer for it, to step up the voltage from 120v to 220/240v. Alternatively, you can buy a controller from a North American model train shop if there's one nearby, that will directly take 120v AC and convert it into the 12v DC required by the locomotive. I've heard that MRC is a popular brand in North America.
Also, if you're planning to go the DCC route, you can install the DCC chip inside the locomotive without needing to change the motor. Most locomotives have a standard DCC socket (this Eurostar has the older 8-pin type). The DCC decoder simply plugs into the socket once you've removed the DCC blanking plate that is installed on DCC ready locomotives so that they can run on analog DC.
Yes, I was aware of that. I just didn't know if installing the chip change the current type. I didn't even know this early version Eurostar was DCC ready until I watched your vid. Great video by the way. Subscribed.@@ashraaqwahab
Interesting video and well explained.
Thanks!
Thank you for this video, it was very helpful
You're welcome! Glad you found it useful. I'll do more of these "Inside A Model Train" videos in the future too.
Your lucky ashraaq wahab
Thanks!
I have a question, If I may. I ordered a couple of these from eBay. I'd forgotten that they were AC powered. I'm in NA, so DC is what I have. I've read that the tractor will run on DC, but will not reverse. Is it possible to convert the unit to DC? Perhaps a DCC decoder? Or is it as easy as swapping out the motor? Thanks for the video, and any guidance you may have.
Hi Steve, these are DC powered, they use a 12v supply to the rails from the controller. Switching polarity reverses the direction of travel and is done by your controller. This is called analog control, and DCC is the digital method of controlling, which uses an AC voltage at the tracks (17v or thereabouts) and sends digital commands to individual locomotives.
The controller is the device that accepts AC voltage and converts it to DC. If you've ordered off eBay, check if a controller is included with your purchase, and if it is, what its supply voltage is. Typically, UK/Euro voltages are 220-240v depending on country, while North America is 120v if I'm not mistaken. So if you're getting a controller with the set off eBay, you'll need to also purchase a step-up transformer for it, to step up the voltage from 120v to 220/240v. Alternatively, you can buy a controller from a North American model train shop if there's one nearby, that will directly take 120v AC and convert it into the 12v DC required by the locomotive. I've heard that MRC is a popular brand in North America.
Also, if you're planning to go the DCC route, you can install the DCC chip inside the locomotive without needing to change the motor. Most locomotives have a standard DCC socket (this Eurostar has the older 8-pin type). The DCC decoder simply plugs into the socket once you've removed the DCC blanking plate that is installed on DCC ready locomotives so that they can run on analog DC.
Yes, I was aware of that. I just didn't know if installing the chip change the current type. I didn't even know this early version Eurostar was DCC ready until I watched your vid. Great video by the way. Subscribed.@@ashraaqwahab