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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 25, 2014 4:52:13 GMT -5
Does AZL recommend any particular type of power controller for their electric motors.
I am using a Marklin Z Controller at the moment and was wondering if a modern design unit would give smoother control.
John.
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Post by markm on Jul 25, 2014 9:57:19 GMT -5
John. Welcome to the forum.
You didn't mention which of the Marklin controllers you're using. The is the original Blue controller. I have one of these. It doesn't run well at low throttle and doesn't regulate the voltage well at the low currents that AZL locomotives draw. There is a newer White unit, which I don't own that seems to do much better. A post from Graham elsewhere here suggests that the control is a bit grainy rather than a smooth change in output voltage.
I've been using a Snail controller that I've been very happy with. It is a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), that produces a stream of DC pulses at a constant voltage (9V for the Snail) that averages out to a variable DC voltage. It works well with the coreless motors used by AZL and allows for very slow operation of a locomotive (5MPH scale or less). The PWM can cause a hum with some of the older motors used in Marklin and MTL F7 locos. Mine is a 8V battery powered unit. I generally get about 3-4 hours of operation off a battery. But I've been using rechargeable batteries which makes it easier and cheaper to run.
The Rokuhan RC-02 throttle is my newest and while I don't have a lot of experience with it yet it does provide for smooth control. This unit is either battery or AC with the optional power pack.
Hope this helps,
Mark
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Post by zdave on Jul 25, 2014 11:00:03 GMT -5
John. Welcome to the forum. You didn't mention which of the Marklin controllers you're using. The is the original Blue controller. I have one of these. It doesn't run well at low throttle and doesn't regulate the voltage well at the low currents that AZL locomotives draw. There is a newer White unit, which I don't own that seems to do much better. A post from Graham elsewhere here suggests that the control is a bit grainy rather than a smooth change in output voltage... I have one of the white Marklins and it'll run the AZL's fairly well.
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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 25, 2014 14:33:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the prompt replies.
My existing controller is a white Marklin unit, my motive power is mainly AZL with a couple of older Marklin models.
John
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Post by zscalehobo on Jul 25, 2014 16:45:59 GMT -5
Thanks for asking this question, hoppy504! I agree with markm's comments and might add for others who may stumble upon this form ... you should use a controller designed for z scale! Any old power pack is not a good idea when running z scale.
The ability to crawl at very slow speeds is the ideal situation for controllers and a decent measuring stick for various z controllers.
Here is my personal ranking of slow speed control power units from best to not so best: 1. Lajos Thek's Snail Speed Controller or the panel mount version, Medvend AN-1-C (Z-Track exclusive) 2. Rokuhan RC-03/RC-02 (2 slightly different units with similar performance) 3. Noch 88161 Speed Controller and System Joerger Deluxe (similar, if not identical circuits) 4. Marklin 67020 Newer, smaller outline, lightweight, plastic white unit - not much experience here, but I think it has pulsed output but not as smooth as Rokuhan & Noch units) 5. Micro-Trains' MODIFIED MRC-1300 MTL#99513000 6. Marklin 67271 Heavy White Unit 7. Marklin 6727 Heavy Blue Unit 8. Marklin 9V Battery Controller
I either own or have owned all 9 of these and that is my observation while running Marklin (diesels, electric and steam), AZL diesels, MTL diesels...
Of course, when you factor in being able to power accessories, power turnouts, do you want a portable power pack or stationary power pack, etc ... the list changes.
I'd be interested to see others rankings of these packs and if I missed any!
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Post by domi on Jul 26, 2014 9:52:41 GMT -5
Indeed I recommend using a pulse power controller, provided the crest voltage is 9V max. All what is listed above is convenient (keep in mind Marklin's are not pulse power). Myself I'm using a controller from Passmann (Germany) that is also 9V crest voltage/pulse power. But infortunately, when wandering on his website there's no more english translation, and it looks like his Z scale controller is not available anymore...
Dom
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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 26, 2014 10:15:52 GMT -5
My Marklin unit is the white heavyweight unit ( I think it is the UK version of 67271 }. After your replies I am considering buying a Rokuhan unit without the point switches. John.
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Post by grahame on Aug 20, 2014 17:28:18 GMT -5
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