Overload Issue; Running a Lionel on DC

[ADCX Rob]

You need 60-80 VA. 20 VA is WAY underpowering your set up.

[jmpiii]

I run an O guage Lionel around the Christmas tree every year. For many years I was running the DC-only James Gang engine with original cars, but recently tried updating the fleet with some lighted cars and found the weight/drag to be too much for that engine. Last year, I upgraded to a used Lionel SD-18 (cerca 1978?). It had a lot more pulling power, but also required a lot more power. So I tried upgrading to a true AC power supply, an MTH z1000. I couldn't believe how much noisier (and less smooth, especially at slow speeds) the train was running on the AC power vs. my old DC power supplies (and noise is an issue as I had also upgraded to some very noisy Lionel Fastrack). After reading on this forum that some users were running Lionels on DC with good results, I returned the MTH and bought a Tech 4, MRC 260 DC power supply during the past year (23VDC, 20VA), as this seemed to be one of their beefier power supplies. Recently I finally got the train set up again, plugged it in, and everything was working find. I was getting a nice cruising speed at about 30-40% of the power supply, pulling about 4 freight cars and a lighted caboose (also smooth and quiet opperation). However, after about 5 minutes of running, the power supply would go to overload. I'd power down, wait a few minutes, rinse and repeat with the same results. So I figured the power supply was bad (I'd bought it used). So I splurged for a new MRC Tech 7 760 (same output - 23VDC, 20VA). Again this power supply seemed to power the train and fleet nicely, needing a touch more throttle, but still running at 40% of the throttle or less. But after a few minutes, I noticed the power supply was getting VERY warm. However, things were still running fine so I kept using it (though I did contact MRC tech support to see if the temperature thing was normal). Then yesterday (day 2 of the new power supply), after running for about an hour, the power supply had the overload light come on, just like the Tech 4. So it's possible that I have had two bad power supplies, but that seems unlikely. Again, we are using essentially brand new track (Lionel Fastrack using their standard wiring harness to connect to the power supply), a 60" diameter loop of track, a Lionel SD-18 engine, 4 freight cars and a lighted caboose (which I tried removing to see if it was the issue with Tech 4 power supply with identical results). I'm open to any suggestions or thoughts. Thank you.