Power Supply

[Anonymous]

What do you all think about the MRC Trainpower 6200? Picked one up at the LHS today. Will test it in the morring.

[cacole]

According to MRC's Web site, you have a 62 Watt output power supply that can be used for G, HO, and N scale. They don't show a picture of this beast -- does it have only one speed knob? It has enough power output to run two or more locomotives simultaneously, if your electrical wiring is up to the task.

[Anonymous]

How are you going to test it? If it runs your trains it is good enough huh?

Try this; the full load to no load regulation is important and so is the ripple.

If you like do these two tests and get back to this column and I might be able to cast some light on their quality as power supplies.

1) measure the voltage with no load on it, ie with the power on, it connected to the rails with no locos on it. The current should be zero and the voltage up near 20 V. Then load it up with every unit you have, every electrical load possible, locos lights anything. Then measure the voltage and the current if you can. This will give you and idea of how good its regulation is and this is impportant.

2) Put your metre on 20 V AC (AC not DC) and note the reading that you get; this will tell you what the ripple is. Ripple is the AC component of a direct current.

Both of these things will affect the long term life of your equipment.


Rgds Ian

[bman36]

Ian,
Very interesting stuff. Gonna' pull out my Fluke and see how my stuff rates. Got a VERY good deal on a CMI transformer from a hobby shop getting out of trains. Now we'll see just how good that deal was. Question: Is it OK to hold a loco with my hand and create a "Stall" condition while testing? Or do I need to let it move? Let me know and I will give it a test. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

I will be sure to bring the Fluke next weekend and try to do this for you. I only have one loco, so not sure how well I can test the reguation. Will post my findings for you to knock around. Thanks for the help.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if you are measuring the current you will just do it and look at your meter and see what is the worst. I have tested afew LGB power supplies and they are quite rotten when compared to commercially available poer supplies but I can't say they are no good because maybe that is how they are meant to me.
Thake you maximum voltage and deduct your minum volyage. Then divide the difference by the maximum voltage X 100 = so many % so if this exceeds 10 by commerecial standards it's not very good.

But the ripple is even more insidious (mother in law like) I cannot say it will harm inductors (motors), as I do not know enough aabout them, so I cannot say but it is better not to have it or minimise as much as possible; in most instances to do with electrical devices.

Rgs Ian

[cutlass12001]

I am currently running the MRC 6200 on my garden layout now. It has been hooked up for over 2 years now. I added the Crest Walkaround Train Engineer last year. I installed USA Trains switches this year, but have one problem. The switches have a control panel slide switch that must be thrown from a central panel. I need to know how to wire it in with the crest accessory control. There are 5 wires, 3 for the switch and 2 for the directional lights, and only 2 posts on the accessory unit.. I've asked several hobby shops in my area about it, and no one knows. Is there anyone out there who has done this and can help me? The transformer works great, plenty of power for everything I have. I have around 100 feet of track, and switches. I am running Bachmann and LGB engines, with no problems.

[Anonymous]

Very interesting

Ian