When gluing parts, it is best to hold them in place especially if it is a large area you need to join together, such...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How can I keep parts in place during gluing?Read more -
What was the Bachmann 'Blue Riband' subbrand ?Read moreThe Blue Riband subbrand was a significant step in the evolution of Bachmann Branchline, the UK division of Bachmann...
-
What is a Weekend Edition model plane kit?Read more'Weekend Edition' plastic model plane kits are a type of kit offered by plastic kit manufacturer Eduard alongside...
-
What is a good age for a child's first layout?Read moreSeveral factors will influence the age at which your child is ready for their first layout. These include the...
-
What is the best wood for baseboards?Read moreThe most common wood for baseboards is probably chipboard as this is relatively inexpensive. Plywood is another...
Why do only some modellers use a CDU for point motors?
There are several reasons why a modeller may choose to use a CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit) to provide power to their point motors, but essentially, it is because they want more 'oomph'.
Although a point motor (turnout motor) will happily operate unaided from a 16v AC auxiliary power supply, factors such as the number of points operated simultaneously or the distance between power supply and motor can influence how effective that amount of power is when it arrives. A CDU will store up power and deliver it with a 'kick' ensuring all turnouts operating from a single switch are fully changed thus minimising the risk of a derailment.
Strictly speaking, if you are operating your turnouts one at a time, a CDU is probably not required, especially if your layout is not that big. However, your circuit's electrical connections must all be good as any resistance may result in a points failure, and then you will have to break out the model replacement bus service.
Posted in: Power and control
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Capacitor Discharge Unit CDU Mk2 Version (4400μf)
Price: £ 30.00For use with all solenoid motors (e.g. PL-10 and PL-11). Connect this unit to...
Integrated Dual High Power CDU
Price: £ 34.95Integrated CDU Unit Dual High Power CDUsThe CDU is 135mm x 87mm x 56mm with...
Related posts
-
Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory... - Is it difficult to fit a DCC decoder in to a DCC ready engine?In theory, it should be easy as the whole idea of being DCC Ready is to simplify the process. The first time I did...
- What is 7/0.2 wire?7/02 wire is a wire made of 7 strands of 0.2mm wire. Stranded wire has the advantage of being flexible while solid...
- Is an N Gauge controller compatible with OO Gauge?Yes, an N Gauge controller is compatible with OO gauge trains. You may have to change the power clip to the track...
- Is stranded wire better than solid wire?In my experience, stranded wire is preferable over solid wire. Stranded wire is more flexible than solid core wire,...