RailPro User Group

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Philip Papale on September 05, 2020, 11:37:21 PM

Title: Micro Mark Switch Tender question
Post by: Philip Papale on September 05, 2020, 11:37:21 PM

In the instructions it says to hook the tender up to 12 volts DC and use the supplied resistor in line to the power supply. I hooked it up as written and all works fine however it seems like it is too much power. I plugged in a wall wart that is putting out 10 volts DC, per my digital meter. I like how it operates the switch tender better but will this cause any harm to the motor?

Thanks in advance, Phil

Title: Re: Micro Mark Switch Tender question
Post by: G8B4Life on September 06, 2020, 12:41:28 AM

No, you will not harm the motor that way.

In a general sense, you will not hurt a device by under-driving it (supplying less than the devices rating) though it might not perform well, or at all by being under driven but you can hurt a device by over-driving it (supplying more than the devices rating).

- Tim

Title: Re: Micro Mark Switch Tender question
Post by: Philip Papale on September 07, 2020, 04:16:57 PM

Okay that is what I was thinking but needed reassuring by someone who knows more than I about the subject.

I will only be using three of the switch tenders on the layout. They will all be within 8' of the power source. I will try to use the 10 volt source as long as I don't have any voltage drop in that distance.

Thanks, Phil