9v or PF or both?

[ALCO]

Hello all!

New here to Eurobricks and the whole AFOL Trains community in general.

I have noticed that there there are essentially two different train systems the 9v (runs on metal rails using a DC current from a transformer like a normal model railroad) and then Power Functions. I unfortunately don't have any of either to experiment with but I was just thinking would it be possible to merge the two and create a kind of DCC system? (Digital Command Control - current standard for powering and controlling model railroads) What I mean is this, you have the PF system that uses a battery pack, IR or RF receiver to power either a "train motor" or another motor that uses Technick gears etc, to power the wheels. Could not one remove the actual motor from the 9v train motor housing and use the metal wheels as contacts to pass the current through from the metal track to your PF control system? This way you would not have to break your layout into Power Districts and you would be able to run multiple trains on the same line under completely different control. Each train would be controlled by it's unique PF controller yet pulling the same current from the rails. Essentially moving the battery pack from a pack of batteries in the locomotive or tender and placing it in the rails where you no longer have to worry about charging or bringing extra batteries. I haven't been around long enough to see of you guys are doing this yet or not, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

As I stated, I unfortunately don't have either system (or trains) to experiment with but will as soon as I have the coin. I recently downloaded LDD and built an MOC that I designed to run in either system or both. I've always been an FOL and trains but never have been able to bring the two together until I downloaded LDD. Let me know what you think of combining both 9v and PF and I'd love some feedback on my MOC in the link below. I went for detail so it turned out to be about to scale so wider and I'm sure taller than the standard size, though still on the Lego standard gauge track.

Cheers!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/

[Redimus]

Been thinking about this myself, as it's something I'll need to do at some point, my collection of 9v powered locos has gotten big enough where it is no longer always possible to make sure all but one of the locos are isolated at all times. Only reason I have yet to look further into it myself is that the current layout is probably not going to stay as it currently is for long enough to make it worth while yet.

As for the actual question, I think the easiest way would be to re-wire the standard 9v motor bogie. Instead of the wires leading directly from the pick ups to the motor, have a wire connected to the pick ups at one end, go out via a drilled hole in the motor bogie and end with a standard (modern) Lego wire end, and another set of wires going from the motor via the same hole to another (modern) Lego wire end. This does not, however, solve the biggest problem with PF, which is sometimes it doesn't notice the signal from the controller (which can prove problematic when the train is about to fly off a curve because it's going too fast).

Personally, I think a better solution (although probably more expensive) would be to go with actual DCC, either fitting the chips in the motor or in a similar way to how I suggest using PF with the motor, or to go for a DCC like system designed specifically for Lego (there's at least one thread discussing one particular system in this forum).

EDIT, it turns out the thread I was thinking off is designed with PF in mind only, so would need the same modifications anyway.

Edited October 13, 2014 by Redimus

[Duq]

Lego trains + DCC has been done. I don't know about combining with PF; PF is not the best system. If you're going to modify the 9V train motors anyway then why not stick DCC decoders in them?

There's a discussion on Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=86855

Also have a look on Flickr:

Lego 9V Motor Bogie DCC Conversion 1 by michaelgale, on Flickr

[Redimus]

Michaelgale's flickr is like a one stop guide on how to Lego.

[dr_spock]

Michaelgale's flickr is like a one stop guide on how to Lego.

This Michael Gale? https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelgale/

[Redimus]

That'd be the one.

[snowvictim]

Jeez, that guy's like a Lego Master of Evil.

What's the diamond 9V cross rail on this picture? O.o

https://www.flickr.c...le/14711327464/

---

!?!?

Edited October 26, 2014 by snowvictim

[dr_spock]

I believe Michael made those himself. It's not uncommon for model railroaders to make their own custom switches.