I wanted to publicly thank Jeff and Matt of the BAZboys for introducing me to Z scale (and model trains in general) at last weekends train show in Pleasanton California. I learned a lot in the 7 hours I spent with them and their willingness to answer questions and accept my presence was heartwarming, yeah I'm sure I got in in the way, but hopefully, next time around I'll be able to help. FWIW their layout was absolutely fantastic, just beautiful and easily the artistic high point of the show. Now I am quite proud to say I am a Z scale modeler! A big shout out to Frank at Z Scale Hobo too. I decided to just stick with one supplier initially and I couldn't have found a nicer guy to go with. His willingness to talk over the phone and patience with my questions has made it much easier for me to figure out how to proceed. I recently became interested in model trains to build a coffee table layout. I started out on the AZL forum but since I am modeling a European scheme with Marklin trains on a NOCH layout I think this forum would be a better fit going forward. You all have a great community in Z scale!
I can't believe it! I have gone through three sets of batteries (8xAAA) just playing around with and staring at my little coffee table test track over a two week period. This may explain the wall wart power packs sold for the Rokuhan RC-02 controller. I still want to be able to power my coffee table layout without an AC cord but that's a lot of batteries! Thank heavens for Costco, because I love running my little train. I can see that the soldering irons in my garage will be getting much use in the future as I expect to leave the plug and play train world as soon as I start building my layout. I have a shed full of rechargeable batteries and I have programmable voltage regulators for my radio controlled models so I can (and will) easily be able to adapt a large Lipo or LiFe battery to deliver constant voltage to my controller. Look out little RC-02 because I'm ready to start cutting!
Then again maybe I could find out what size and polarity plug the Rokuhan RC-02 wall wart uses? I kind of hate to cut that one up.
Eric, Yes the Märklin locos do draw quite a bit of power. The wall wart, A028 is a bit uncommon, it's 10VDC. It's fairly inexpensive at about $15-20 depending on the source. You can use a 12VDC wall wart, but not recommended by Rokuhan and really only entirely safe with AZL locomotives. What I did was get 16 Nimh AAA batteries and an 8 site recharger from that big electronics store I've mentioned. I find a charge lasts about 60-70% of the alkaline batteries and if you keep one set charging you can run for quite some time. I will warn you, you can wear out the battery cover quickly on the controller changing batteries, so you may want to build an external battery pack. Mark
Well . . . . thanks *not* to their documentation (both the A028 package, web document *and* the product itself . . .) Blowing up the image, a few times, standard 5.5x2.1mm. And, from an internet search of the part number on the A028 itself , its a 5.5x2.1mm Search Amazon for: 12v 5.5x2.1mm 1.5A and you get dozens for $10. If you just need the 5.5x2.1 I can send you one you can solder 2 wires on, if you have a wart that you want to hack.
I’ll look for a 2.1 plug before I ask you to send me one, thanks! Suddenly I miss my local Radio Shack... does it say if it’s center neg or pos?
