#rokuhan

[bakedbeanfreak]

Ive been getting into model trains lately. Specifically Z-guage, which is 1/220 scale. Here's my first full-length train. It's a model of the E6 series Shinkansen.

Hopefully more to come in the future.

[tsugi-no-eki-wa-desu]

I was inspired by Welshbloke on JNS Forum to try using a USB power bank as a power source for a model railway controller, instead of a mains power supply.

I've tested this by hooking up an Anker power bank to a Rokuhan RC-02 controller and my Z gauge shorty loop. The Rokuhan controller expects a 10V input so I ordered a special cable which takes the 5V USB output and steps up the voltage to 9V, terminating in a 2.1mm barrel jack compatible with the controller.

I found this combination worked well, and that the power bank didn't switch off when the train was brought to a stop. I suspect this is due to the 'constant lighting' feature of the controller, which keeps a high frequency AC current applied to the track so that train lighting continues to remain on when trains are stopped.

If you're familiar with the Rokuhan controller, you'll likely know it actually has a battery compartment. Whilst this might make a seperate power bank seem unnecessary, the controller takes 8 AAA batteries and it would (in theory) be easier to swap/recharge a power bank instead.

[tsugi-no-eki-wa-desu]

Tinkering with some Z gauge stuff thanks to Rokuhan’s ‘Z Shorty’ range, like Bandai’s 'B Train Shorty’ range but in a smaller scale! It’s definitely a novelty in my collection but I’ve got ideas for a diorama as a future project…