Need Help!- Would This Work?

[SPEEDRE]

I was wondering? I have an old model train transformer. Wait now, it"s not your average Lionel type, it"s all solid state and, has a hand held controller for speed and even braking. It has other function buttons as well such as, E-Stop, direction, momentum, which slowly increases the speed until it gets to the speed you want, and some other strictly model train functions. So, since it is 16 volts AC and 4 amps, would it be useful as the power source for a stepper motor? could it be used this way?

[vger]

If you have a stepper motor driver and rectified the output of the train transformer for use as a power supply for the driver, then maybe....

Steppers function differently than regualar AC or DC motors. If you are not familiar with how they function, take a look here...

http://www.imagesco.com/articles/picstepper/02.html

Steve

[SPEEDRE]

So, no, it won't work? O.K.

[Al_The_Man]

I suspect it is an ordinary linear supply with SCR control.
If the voltage/current is suitable, you should be able to use the transformer and bridge.
If SCR, there will most likely not be any capacitors fitted, so they would have to be added, if PWM then you should have caps.
You will not be able to use the SS control itself, just the power supply parts.
Al.

[cnczoner]

Well, as a "power source", it may work, but you'll still need a stepper motor driver/controller. But even as a power source, 16V is very low for most motors, but that depends on the steppers and on what they will be moving.