DIY Adjustable Power

[tjettom]

Yes, thanks for that info. I was curious if it actually had that much adjustment. That is good... Could you detect excess heat from the unit while it was at that much reduction in voltage? I always worry about overheating issues in my shop. Thanks again...
Tom

[chappyman66]

I actually don't know about heat. I have them enclosed in the circuit boxes so there isn't much airflow. I have seen boards with large heat sinks but I didn't bother. I am not running it for hours like that.....his attention span is typically an hour or so. Then I turn it back up to 10V.

[tjettom]

I am mainly asking these questions in case others are going to build these. I am thinking someone maybe could have a heat issue but I'm not an electronics person. I had looked into doing similar and after adding cost of all components I would use, I made the choice of buying four 5 amp power supplies for not much more cost. I wish you and others doing this endeavor the best.
Regards,
Tom

[TuscoTodd]

Great write up details and pics!
:text-bravo:

[chappyman66]

Thanks Todd, just want to help folks.

[TuscoTodd]

That is one of the great thing about the members on this board - everyone is more than willing to share info / details on techniques / parts / etc! It makes for a great repository of information and ideas to build off of!
:handgestures-thumbup:

[RichD]

Good work, I have bookmarked this thread. Years ago I was asked to build an adjustable voltage regulator and write an article on it, this was the result: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zQ0nOD ... sp=sharing
I should update this since most of the Radio Shack stores have closed. If I recall correctly the parts would cost less than $15. A number of people have built these and found them to work well, one of these days I will have to see how well the regulation works when the load is changing.

[NHBandit]

[RichD]

The cheapest thing to use is a 90 watt laptop power supply, those are regulated and are good for about 5 amps. That might be a little skimpy if you run four cars with more powerful motors, if that was a concern you could power two lanes with one supply and the other two lanes with another one.
In my experience a good regulated variable voltage power supply is a wise investment if you are going to use it for years. 30 volt units are more expensive, but you can use them to run HO tracks. A Mastech 30 volt 10 amp power supply with digital volt and amp meters is $150, if you do a Google search you might be able to find something similar for $100 or less.
Here is one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/391694935441#ht_4104wt_1362

[NHBandit]

[HomeRacingWorld]

[HomeRacingWorld]

[mattb]

Hard to beat a $39 adjustable power supply. Should be enough amps for most any current 1/32 cars.

[NHBandit]

[HomeRacingWorld]

You are welcome. That will work nicely. It is the same supply I have on my 3 lane routed and not any trouble at all running our "normal" home type motors.

Looks like a nice layout there, great start.