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Choo Choo Cam
FAQ
Q. Is Choochoocam the Lionel System we have been seeing?
A. No
Q. What are the specs on the camera?
A. Camera sensitivity is 3 lux, definition is 380 lines, lens is f3.6, focus is about 2" to infinity.
The camera has electronic shutter....1/60 to 1/10,000 exposure control, which effectively takes care of variable lighting. The standard lens protrudes about 0.375" from the camera board and requires a 0.125" hole through which to look. A new lens is available which increases the sensitivity to .5 lux. The lens protrudes about 1" from the camera board and requires a 0.25" through which to look. Focus with this lens is about 6" to infinity. The price is the same for either camera lens.
Q. Will the transmitted signal pass through walls, etc.?
A. The signal will pass through most walls including those that have metal ducts. The signal will also pass through metal truss bridges and chicken wire supported scenery.
Q. Will the camera lose picture when traversing switches and crossovers?
A. We suggest using at least two power pickups and four if possible. You should also add ground wires connected directly to the metal frame of the trucks. These wires should be added to each truck and soldered if possible. The wires are tied together and connected to one of the power supply input wires. The power supply will hold up for about 1/2
second so with two pickups there should be no loss of picture.
Q. Can I exceed 18VAC or 22VDC on the tracks?
A. A qualified yes. Please contact the factory to discuss.
Q. What about remote control systems?
A. So far Choochoocam has not experienced any interference problems with any remote controls.
Q. Are there any compatibility issues with transformers?
A. The only issue we know of is with the Lionel PH-1 power pack. Choochoocam draws inrush current of .5 to 1 amp and some electronic power packs consider this to be a short circuit.
Q. Is any interference caused by train motors or other layout electronics?
A. We have seen some interference caused by Lionel vertical shaft wound field motors which is usually taken care of by installing one or two capacitors on the motor. Permanent magnet motors seem to be pretty much free of interference.
Q. Can the receiver be mounted away from the TV?
A. The Choochoocam receiver puts out a video signal. You can use at least 25' of video coax between the receiver and the TV and can probably go to 50' if necessary.
Q. My layout is L shaped. Will this cause problems?
A. The Choochoocam signal will not pass through a basement wall that has earth on the outside. You can probably position the receiver over the crook in the L and achieve good pictures all the way around. If your walls are studs with paneling or plaster, you
should not experience difficulty.
Q. Where should I mount the camera?
A. We suggest that the system be installed in a dummy engine looking forward. The dummy can then be used at the front of the train, the rear of the train looking backward (like an observation car view), or at the rear of the train looking forward over a flat car (this one is real cool when you have a long train and great scenery). Customers have also mounted the system in cabooses, boxcars, flatcars (disguised as a load) and looking sideways from the
cab window.
Q. How often does the battery pack need to be charged?
A. A fully charged pack will power Choochoocam for more than 1 1/2 hours with no track power applied. The pack is trickle charged while the train is running and may never need to be charged. It all depends on how much starting and stopping is done.
Q. Can I use a large screen TV?
A. Since Choochoocam provides a picture which is superior to normal TV, you can use any screen which gives an adequate picture on commercial TV.
Q. How much light is required on the layout?
A. Light is hard to quantify. You need enough light to easily read a newspaper. Too little light will cause washed out colors, apparent loss of focus, and noise and snow in the picture.
Pricing and Ordering Information
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