It's nothing more than a crude half-wave DC current which is nothing more than a single diode creating a small dirty DC current passing through the full waves of the AC supplying power to the tracks. The problem with this method is the amount of power needed to make enough DC without removing too much AC from the locomotive itself. With this method, it works, but it also takes away from both the sound quality and the locomotives performance by the rapid voltage drop across the AC lines in order to create enough DC signal to make the relay close and power the whistle/horn motor. Needless to say it's not the best, but it is a amazing breakthrough they had for a toy back then when it was first discovered that this was even possible! 😅
would great to get a shot of the circuitry inside to understand how that button works
Charles - any chance you could open up that red whistle controller and give us a close-up shot of the interior?
Excellent review!
It's nothing more than a crude half-wave DC current which is nothing more than a single diode creating a small dirty DC current passing through the full waves of the AC supplying power to the tracks. The problem with this method is the amount of power needed to make enough DC without removing too much AC from the locomotive itself. With this method, it works, but it also takes away from both the sound quality and the locomotives performance by the rapid voltage drop across the AC lines in order to create enough DC signal to make the relay close and power the whistle/horn motor. Needless to say it's not the best, but it is a amazing breakthrough they had for a toy back then when it was first discovered that this was even possible! 😅
How is the red one with TMCC whistles?
Where did you get that whistle from? What is the name of the whistle? It's so cool!
From a Lionel Hogwarts Express tender.