Science Project

[HackerJerry]

Hello everyone,

I am working on a science project with my daughter and I was hoping someone would be so kind to answer a few questions. Her project is to show different ways to generate power and my thought was to prove this by moving a model train. We will have several ways to generate power and the train in her diplay will move. This is all still in theory. I am thinking of a round track with locomotive and a couple of cars. Of course we are trying to do this relatively inexpensively.

My questions:
-Is N style the smallest trains size (we are restricted in display size)?
-DC voltage is used across the tracks to move the train (I have a hand crank that generates up to 8.5 DCv), correct?
-What is the threshold/minimum dc voltage to get a N style train moving?

Thanks in advance,
Jerry H

 

[BAD]

Well you can go Z scale that would be the smallest. the rest of the questions I really don't know.

 

[MilesWestern]

Well, the maximum voltage for N scale is 12v DC.

N scale is more cost-effective for display, and the smallest circle you can make is 9.75 inch radius track.

8.5V will power the train at roughly 75% throttle, and use that as a benchmark of efficieny.


Minimum voltage depends solely on the locomotive. Usually the cheaper ones draw more current because it take more power to move their Ill-fitting parts.

IF you're wanting an inexpensive good running engine, look at Lifelike ProtoN. They don't draw much power and it'll cost you for $20-50 for a nice engine.

Minimum volatage could be as little as 1.5v (AA battery) you probably wouldn't move very fast obviously, because the voltage powering the rails like a rheostat works dimming your lights in your dining room for example.

Hope this helps. It's a good science project, and an interesting visual metaphor.

 

[UP2CSX]

N scale is really about the smallest scale you'd want to use and it's plenty small enough for your purposes. As was mentioned, pay a little bit extra to get a decent engine with a low starting voltage. You can control the speed of the train with the hand crank generator in much the same way a power pack throttle works. For most N scale engines, 8.5 volts will move it along plenty fast. A good N scale engine will have a starting voltage hauling a few cars of somewhere around three volts. A poor quality engine might require 7 volts to get moving. Having an engine with less current draw will give you more ways to power the engine.

 

[CanuckMark]

Jim mentioned current - what kind of amperage will the crank put out? An N scale engine won't need much current since the motor is small put supply power in the microamp and low milliamp range definitely won't be enough.

Mark

 

[HackerJerry]

Thanks!

You have been alot of help. This information was what I was hoping to get.
I am not sure of the Amperage output yet, but I will check that.

I will be sure to post some pictures with the progress and end result.

Thanks for the input!

Jerry

 

[Smoke]

If you want a good enigne at a good price, I would go here. www.nscalesupply.com Go to the preowned section(top right), and you can find some Atlas engines for $40. Here is am Atlas engine for $30.

http://www.nscalesupply.com/pon/PreownedDetail.aspx?id=9489

Do not be afraid to order a preowned one, I bought one from them and it works perfectly.

-Smoke