Capacitor Discharge Unit

Description

Use the capacitor discharge unit (CDU) to protect your valuable point motors on the layout.

CDUs supply a current to the solenoid of the point motor for a very brief period of time, preventing burn out.

This current burst is complete by the time the switch contacts open, so the contacts are opening with no current flow through them and hence there is no spark and no contact damage.

Recommended power supply is 15 to 20 Volt AC with a power rating of 2 to 3 Ampere (most laptop chargers will be efficient).

Capacitors recharge in a fraction of a second (2 x 2 200 microfarad capacitors).

Complete installation diagram included.

Hint:  Mount this CDU as close as possible to the point motors to minimize wire lengths. Also use wires as thick as possible.

Warning:  This is NOT A TOY and should be kept away from children.