Morley Vector Zero 2 Re Cap, Model Railway Controller
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- An interesting project to improve the slow speed control of the Morley Vector Zero two controller by reducing the value of the split rail smoothing capacitors. I have gone for 100uF but reducing further to 33 or 47uF would give control on par with the Gaugemaster Model D controller but with a little more motor noise and not as much protection for coreless motors. (update I have now done this, 33uF works really well)
Here now is a step by step video of what I did.
Please listen to the caution and disclaimer.
Here is a link to the capacitors I used: www.rapidonlin...
Here is a link to the security screw driver bit kit I used: www.amazon.co....
Another benefit of this modification seems to be that the power transistors run much cooler, thus the front panel of the controller does not become so warm
This no doubt is due to the lower potential maximum voltage before the regulator circuit.
Un progetto interessante per migliorare il controllo a bassa velocità del vettore Morley Zero due controller riducendo il valore della rampa di split condensatori di livellamento #modelrailways #modelrailroad #modeltrains
Greetings everyone 26/02/2021 as an update, I have now changed down to 33uF caps of the same brand, the result has been fantastic, much better control, no buzz, great for coreless, and no heating of the power transistors. Morley now make a Vector Zero 3 Crawler which seems to be as good or better than my modified one. While I love the GM Model D, it's the Morley I use all the time. Take care. Mike
Another benefit of this modification seems to be that the power transistors run much cooler, thus the front panel of the controller does not become so warm :)
This no doubt is due to the lower potential maximum voltage before the regulator circuit.
A big Thankyou Mike for your videos regarding the two big names in controllers. Just getting into the hobby, and they couldn't have been better timed, or that is, the outcome (knock on effect) of your under the bonnet analysis. Barely a month ago, it seems, Morley were offering the Vector Zero Two, so I was going to go for a Gauge Master. Ready now to buy a controller I was edging back towards Morley, feeling that a number of features more than outweighed the slow speed issue, and as I foresee that I may end up with two layouts, with different operating requirements, I was going to buy a Gauge Master as well. Much to my surprise, Morley had superseded the Zero Two with a Zero Three ("perfect smooth control at slow speeds..."), and added a Zero Three Crawler. So I bought the Zero Three. Initial use is giving very good slow speed running, and this is with pre-owned and un-fettled locos. Unless someone beats me to it (which is highly likely) I'll post a video. £79.80 including TWO handhelds, I'm happy!
Hi Tab, great to hear my video helped you make a choice. I think you have made the right one for what it's worth. The Morley as we have seen is very sophisticated with protection circuits as well as good control now. I am pleased they adopted my idea even if they were rather odd about it :) Look forward to your video, please post a link here
I think Morley owe you an apology, at the least a thank you. I am sure that their sales are set to increase, and who knows, they may take on extra staff... When I'm ready for my second controller, I will most likely go for the Zero Three Crawler... that will be two sales down to you Mike! "Cheers" say Morley.
Scope is paying for itself, Mike.
Certainly is mate, many thanks :)
Hi again Mike. Nice video, I'm sure coreless motor could start much better, at least my experiments and Hrvoje Trains chanel as well showed that with coreless with neodymium magnet can start much slower and stable. Also could be possible to improve it with halfwave, but coreless and halfwave are not too friendly.
Hi, many thanks. Agree half wave and cordless should never meet
haha so it would seem (from what I've been told) Morley themselves have adopted my suggested change! So all that bluster was uncalled for then! Good news for customers at least.
Did someone take a Crawler apart and have a look Mike ?
@@phucdatbich1990 Yes apparently so, even found the exact same brand of capacitors had been used. I am just glad modellers will get a really nice controller now :)
@@MikesMovies Mike, this thread on RMweb may interest you www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/147742-what-type-of-controller-is-this-budget-marklin-trix/
@@1maico1 Very many thanks for the support, I really like that Trix controller, very similar to Fleischman designed set controller! Very smooth, very controlled
I think yes but not been able to get any feedback
Thank you for the video. It was very helpful.
Thanks Tony, very glad to hear it, I have a lovely running session last night using it, lots of smooth starts and well controlled low speed runs and no motor noise at all :)
Thanks for a really well made video. I will try this mod.
Thanks Alan, be interested to hear how you get on
very well done. enjoyed it.
Thanks, do you have this controller?
no. I am a beginner in the research phase of having a model railroad and came across your video and having a small background in electronics really enjoyed it you were very thourough in explain to watcherws not to touch the capacitor leads with their fingers.
LOL that's very kind of you. Great controller with this modification, or another option might be Gaugemaster Model Ws with boxed transformers to power them.
Thank you Mike & thank you for guiding me to this your second film on these controllers..............Which way will I jump ? Gaugemaster or Morley.................I'm still unsure Thank you though for a thought out well explained Clip
Cheers Paul let me know. Both really good, the best in DC control out there. The Morley has fantastic flexibility with its plug in hand helds and the GM has great control and a lifetime warranty, I am glad I have both but use the Morley every day now
Paul, I'd go for the modified Morley, they seem to have adopted my suggestion.
Thanks for the video Mike, wonder if Morley would do an upgrade if you asked them?? better result than last time ..
Hi, thanks very much for watching. I have been in touch, initially a little hostile but are now going to carry out some tests. Due to CE and EMC compliance a change, even this slight could be hugely expensive, but we shall have to see.
Great video! Very informative, and I like the fact that thanks to your clear instructions, this modification is accessible to a large number of people. I have the Morley Vanguard, which from what I can see looks to be very similar to the Vector Zero, but has a higher Max. voltage (20V) and is rated at 2.5A per channel, as it's designed for O gauge rather than OO/N gauge. Now I'm no mathematical wizzard when it comes to electronics, so apologies if this is a basic question: would you still use a 100uF capacitor for this with the higher voltage/current, and would I need a higher rated (V) capacitor to cope?
Hi John, many thanks for the kind comments. As you reduce the capacitors your maximum output falls a bit so that has to be considered. What do your O gauge locos actually draw? imagine it to be around about 1 -1.5 amps. In this case, 220 or 470 uF caps might be good, what is the value of the original ones?
I'm not sure off the top of my head - I'll have a look this weekend :-)
OK mate, no rush :)
Is there going to be a part III in the series covering further slow speed improvements ?
lol I don't think so to be honest, the only possible would be to reduce the caps down to 33uf but I don't think it worth it now. There is a series on a DIY controller I made that does give really good performance, have you seen that?
Excellent Mike.
Can I ask why Morley wouldn't have done the same modification in production ?
Tony.
Thanks Tony, I think they are of the opinion that customers are very happy with things the way they are. However I am told they are looking into my ideas.
Cheers Mike.
How are folk feeling about this mod? will you be trying it? I am considering going to 47uF caps but know there will then be motor buzz.
What about trying to fit a DPDT pair of switches to switch the capacitors between the 100uF and the 33uF?
Hi Alan, a good idea indeed. I think I'd change the values to 10uF and 220uF in this case which would give excellent shuning control and a bit more top speed for cruising.
Hi Mike, Interesting video. You state in your comments that Morley has implemented your change. Do you know which models they have changed and when? Many thanks. Paddy
Morning Paddy, many thanks. The new models are I think Vector 'Crawler' look up OOBill he does a review on it. They are a lovely bit of kit for sure. I have only been told they have done the exact same mod, I'd like some proof really/