![]() Your buck converter can handle the 1000 mA no problem so you can just be done with it and move on to your next layout chore.īut if you are the inquisitive type, you can also pick up a FREE (with coupon) digital meter from Harbor Freight Tools that has the ability (range) to measure up to 10,000 mA (10 Amps). Since you have 55 LEDs and a fan motor, you are probably drawing around 1000 mA which your meter cannot measure. After all, a permanent meter is probably mounted under the layout anyway!īut I looked up what appears to be your meter and it unfortunately has a limited mA measurement range topping out at 200 mA. Like setting/confirming the voltage going to your buildings is 4.5V DC, you most surely can simply measure the mA current "once" upon installation to make sure it is not something fishy (excessive). ![]() About the same price ($5 or so) on eBay but a bit larger since it has screw-terminals for input and output wires and has mounting holes in the corners. The board in his photo is just an AC-to-DC buck converter like the one you had. Then you simply count up the number of LEDs, blinking signs, spinning fan motors, and whatever other goodies to get a handle on mA power requirements. Or at least someone who has some of these buildings (I don't) could make some measurements to ballpark the mA requirements. I'm imagining how each Menards building would specify the # of mA so that end-users can plan accordingly. Then, since the wall-wart adapter are rated for, say, 1000 mA or 2000 mA you can plan accordingly. Woodland Scenics provides guidance for their buildings on number of mA. There have been a few data points in some of the other threads but nothing comprehensive. Such a building might draw, say,10 times the current of the quonset hut.īy monitoring the current (shown as 0.73 Amps or 730 mA in photo above), you know where you are. Then you have buildings with over a dozen LEDs, a blinking sign, and maybe a small motor spinning a fan. ![]() I believe the lowest is the quonset hut which has only 2 (I think) LEDs. The current draw of the Menards buildings vary all over the map. So if you're making a DIY distribution scheme for 4.5V DC to buildings the addition of a current monitor can be handy. IIRC member cjack first showed this idea of using this (or similar) digital meter in another lighting thread. ![]() In my opinion this was what got them in trouble with their unregulated 4.5V DC adapters but I've beaten that horse in other threads.Īnyway, for about $2-3 shipped on eBay you can get a meter that monitors both the voltage AND current to the buildings. I get that this is easy-to-understand but seems overly simplistic. You choose the 3-plug adapter for up to 3 buildings. From what I can tell you choose the 1-plug adapter if you have 1 building. What baffles me is how Menards sells wall-wart adapters for buildings. Once set, the voltage will insignificantly drift/change with temperature, age, amount of buildings attached, and maybe even the phase of the moon. Why would I want meter built in? Will the converter out voltage change/drift over time so I need to monitor that? Yeah, accessory power from xfrmr was the task, then feed buss for connect to buildings.
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