Trains.com

MRC Dual Power O27

9566 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
MRC Dual Power O27
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 28, 2005 2:27 PM
Yet another question........Is this transformer/walkaround set up worth having? I've heard a few people mention they had problems with ps1 engines operating properly, how wide spread is that problem? Both the cw-80 and the lionel mw transformer i've got seem to be junk - should I just go for an old zw?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Monday, November 28, 2005 2:57 PM
I have not heard of anyone have problems with MRC transformers with either MTH or Lionel engines. MRC is a pure sine wave trasnformer.

The CW80 is a crop wave trasformer, which can cause problems with MTH engines.

If you choose a Post War ZW, it is a pure sine wave trasnformer ( I use two of them myself) but you should add a fast acting curcit breaker to the line between the trasnformer and the track.

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Florida
  • 409 posts
Posted by otftch on Monday, November 28, 2005 6:25 PM
I would advise against the MRC.I have one that runs my lights. I had problems with my layout while running one track the other wopuld go full power.I broke three engines because of this.It was sent back three times and "repaired" but sooner or later the problem returned.I went to lionel cab 1 with no wiring alterations and things have been fine since. (two years).I highly rcomend the MRC HO power packs.I have met three people who have had essentially the same problems with the DUAL POWER 027.
Ed
"Thou must maintaineth thy airspeed lest the ground reach up and smite thee."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 28, 2005 9:28 PM
The MRC Dual Power 027 that came out about 8-9 years ago had a metal case and was controlled by a handheld remote. It had a port for a second remote and had two fixed outputs for accessories/lighting.
It was a pain in the patoot when trying to operate MTH Proto 1.0 engines. I gave mine away to a guy who used it for lighting only.
It was a very different transformer from the current MRC 270 watt dual throttle unit that is sold now.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 338 posts
Posted by waltrapp on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 6:03 AM
I own a newer MRC dual 270 and I've successfully used it on PW, PS1, and PS2. I now use it to power 2 channels on my TIU and use the fixed voltage for all my switches.

- walt
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 2,877 posts
Posted by Bob Keller on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 7:05 AM
Unless you only plan on running pre- or postwar, if you get an MRC, stick with a newer version. Although we had decent results when we first tested the original DualPower O-27 (silver box, wire throttle) in the January 1998 issue, we ended up posting a followup. It wasn't compatible with all QSI or MTH PS-1 equipment, and in some cases it didn't work with TMCC/RailSounds engines.

In retrospect, while there was an issue with the transformer's signal, there also seemed to be some varience with the individual circuit boards where model a. might run fine, model b. ran fine with no sound, and model c. imitated a brick.

Later MRC transformers resolved these issues. I've got MRC's 270-watt transformer (CTT March 2004) in my basement running two mainlines and I've never had more than a spurious horn beep.

Bob Keller

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 5:42 PM
I purchased one many years ago and still have it in limited use. I use it for fixed voltage to my Lionel switches. I also use variable track-1 for some of my cabin lights so I can dim them or brighten them when I feel like it. I glued a piece of wood onto the hand held controller so I can't turn the knob past 14 volts.


Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month