06-12-2010, 10:47 PM
OBJack Wrote:Being the novice that I am, can I ask some dumb questions ? I don't know how they work but am assuming you flick a switch to activate the magnet?
And what is the 24v power source you use?
Thank you for the kind comments, Jack. I am using a 24 volt power DC supply that I salvaged from an old industrial control panel. A decent 24 volt supply rated 2.5 amps can be had for around $60, perhaps cheaper if you searched around. I like the 24 volts on the two coils in series - there is only 12 volts on each coil, less than the single coil using Kadee's recommended 16 to 18 volts. Each of my coils will run cooler and have less chance of burn-out, yet overall, the magnetism is quite a bit greater.
As for operating the magnets, I have a momentary pushbutton and control relay under the layout that operates the magnet - in conjunction with a time delay relay in the control panel. It's a nifty little circuit.... push the button and release, the magnet will stay on for five seconds, giving enough time to uncouple, then it automatically shuts off.
There is a thread showing the control panel and there is a better explanation of how the magnets work there. It may seem complicated, but it really isn't. Just some basic relay logic.
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