7 replies to this topic

[ThunderThumb]

Does the OHM rating matter a lot , I have a controller with 2.5 and a 3.0 , would a 2.0 OHM rating work , thanks

[Ramcatlarry]

Somewhat dependent on car/track combination.  A 2 ohm could be OK  on most commercial track uses, but would like to use 5 ohm or more for HO and homeset needs.  One or two diodes in a step switch is great also, if you are building a custom or add on brake circuit.

[drrufo]

Don't worry about adding resistors. You are using the ohmite potentiometer on a Choke Master,  just make sure the wire wrap is clean. I use the ohmite in the range from 2 to 3 ohms. The ohmite might have a 2.04 ohm rating, read the side of the potentiometer for the rated value.

The ohmite comes in the smaller ohm rating, wire wound pots usually come in 5 ohms. That is what I use for everythnng but the HO. The HO gets a 100 ohm pot because the resistor array has a higher value in the HO controller.

 

John Andersen- I build the damn things

[ThunderThumb]

Thanks a lot fo rthe info John and Larry

[Jim Difalco]

Earl, the real answer is how much brakes do you take out of the car when running. If you only take a little bit of brakes out then the 2 ohm will be fine. It will actually spread out the range and give you finer adjustment with the 2 ohm rheostat. If you have a 3 ohm now but regularly turn the brakes down most of the way then you will not be able to reach the same brake level on a 2 ohm.

 

I used 2 ohm rheostats then switched to a 3 ohm the last 20 years.

 

25 ohm value for 1/32 and 100 ohm for H.O.

 

Diode braking is awful. I guarantee that on the same track you will find a lane where position 3 will be too much brakes and position 4 will not be enough.

[ThunderThumb]

Im running all wing cars OMB , G27 and G7 so braking is not a big deal , I noticed some controllers havea 2 OHM and a 3 OHM and I think one had a 2.5 OHM , thanks for the info Jim

[Mr. M]

Why is diode braking so bad?

[Jim Difalco]

When you compare a typical pro brake with about 30 positions and an economy brake that has 100 positions with a diode brake that has 6 positions, which would you want? The difference is substantial between diode settings so you do not have the fine tuning available for braking.