User Guide

10
track power installation - DC Motor / Track connections
3 rail operators: If the engine does not have a
chassis (outside rail) pickup from each truck you
should add one to prevent intermittent track pickup
from occuring. Adding multiple center rail pickups will
also help.
2 rail operators: If the engine does not have a pickup
wire for each rail, you should add one. DO NOT rely
on proper pickup through the wiping action of a truck
against the chassis for a proper pickup.
Multiple motors: when more than one motor is
present you may want to wire them in series to
reduce the top end speed. This is especially true of
most 3 rail chassis since the gear ratio is higher than
neccessary. Place the capacitor shown on the motor
brushes closest to the connection of the power feeds
(red & brown) from the main board. If placing motors
in series, either place one capacitor on each motor or
connect to wire splice at closest motor to power feed.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Note:
When more than one motor is in a locomotive you can either leave them in parallel, as originally wired, or place
them in series to reduce the top end speed. Remember, the power stage is rated for 3 amperes. Higher load
current will damage the electronics. In general, most newer locomotives with dual motors are only consuming 3
amperes. If in doubt you can always place a fuse in series with a motor brush wire.
Main Power / Motor Connections
Track Power Input
3 ...... Blue (3 rail ........ center roller pickup)
(2 rail ....... right rail pickup)
4 ...... Black (3 rail ........ chassis pickup)
(2 rail ......... left rail pickup)
connect wires together
5 ..... Yellow
6 ...... Orange
Motor Brushes
1 ...... Red
2 ...... Brown
Place 0.1mfd capacitor
(chicklet) across
motor brushes.
Series Diode drop
:
Use 6 ampere diodes (item 375) for heavy
motor loads, 1 ampere diodes (item 374)
for lighter motor loads (as in newer 'S'
gauge equipment) . One or more diodes can
be used. As shown, two diodes are used
yielding a 1.5 volt drop. This is also a drop in
voltage going to the DC motor, thus lowering
it's RPM for a given voltage. By adding more
diodes in series you can effectively reduce
the top end speed of any locomotive and
make a jack rabbit engine more tolerable
without effecting the sound system.
Main Power / Motor Connections using series diodes to drop motor speed
Track Power Input
3 ...... Blue (3 rail ........ center roller pickup)
(2 rail ....... right rail pickup)
4 ...... Black (3 rail ........ chassis pickup)
(2 rail ......... left rail pickup)
Series Diode drop
5 ..... Yellow (to anode '+' )
6 ...... Orange (to cathode '-' )
Motor Brushes
1 ...... Red
2 ...... Brown
1
2
3
4
5
6
Place 0.1mfd capacitor
(chicklet) across
motor brushes.