power ? Help

[mikeace]

Can I use A tech 2 120vac 60hz  14vdc. 18.5vac. 15vdc 17va to power up A Garden Railway. I need to power A 4x8x8x4 big boy

[tangerine-jack]

Yes you can.  BUT- that is depending on the length of track and other factors such as gradienets etc. that affect the amp draw of the loco.  In theory the Tech 2 will do the job, but you will only be able to run one loco at about 2/3 speed on perhaps not more than 40ft of track.  I use a similar power pack for indoor testing on a 6ft track, but it's only for testing and not duration running. 

[Puckdropper]

If you're powering a Big Boy, you'll probably want a good string of cars to go behind it.  You'll probably want to upgrade to a bigger transformer when you get a chance.  I'm not sure of the draw of your locomotive, but with grades and more cars you'll need more power.

 

If you've got a multimeter, you can measure the current draw of your locomotive.  Connect the multimeter leads on ONE side of the power, so the multimeter goes BETWEEN the power pack and rail.  (Do not connect it with one multimeter lead on each rail.)  In AMPs mode, you should be able to measure the amperage.  (Use at least a 10 Amp setting.)

 

I asked a similar question about a RS3 that I got from the hobby shop.  The train guy said I'd be able to run it with my Tech4, but I probably would top it out with more than a couple cars. 

[Curmudgeon]

And, it really depends on who made it.

 There are a couple of manufacturers who insist on creating their own "standard" by using true 24VDC motors.

Your pack won't even come close.

[cacole]

If your Tech 2 can't handle the load, it's overload light will come on and the internal circuit breaker will trip.  Then you'll know that it can't handle the load of a G-scale Big Boy.  Until that happens, there's no way of knowing for sure.

[Marty Cozad]

Give us a hint, is it a MTH Big boy????

[Puckdropper]

Not all Tech II's have overload lights.  The one I have (Locomotion 1500, I think) does not.  It just has the power light which varies with track voltage.

 

Excessive heat of the power pack can also be an indicator of insufficient power.  If it's getting hot, you're reaching the limits of it. 

[mikeace]

Yes it is a mth big boy. It's A tech 2  2400 with overload light.

[spikejones52002]

I run all my MTH engines on A.C.

You can find power transformers for next to nothing at Hamfest swap meets or flea markets. I have a 10 amp 24 volt transformer powering MTH's TIU.

Then you have all the bells and whistles.

Contact me directly [e-mail]

[josh240]

If you are going to power your railroad and add other engines you should invest in at laest a 10 amp supply. The tech 2 will be put at a strain with any amount of weaight to pull with the Mallet. When Most solid state components fail they fail at full power to the rails. The Tech 2 has only slightly more than 1 amp of power available for use.  I use a 400 watt 28 volt (18 amp) computer power supply with a TE with resttable fuse link rated atv 9 amps. I have run 5 engines (10 motors) while plowing snow with power to spare. If you invest now you won't have to do it again or possibly damage an engine due to a component failure in an undersized power supply. Just my 2 cents worth, happy railroading

[Anonymous]

I dis agree with al this, it all sounds confused and disjointed to me.

Surely the manufacturer of your loco will tell you what power to use with the loco, just get a power supply to match what they require.

Rgds ian

[Mike Dorsch CJ&M r.r.]

Get a Bridgewerks mag15 or larger and you wont have to worry about having enough power again . Some even come with a remote built in .

[Anonymous]

Well you may mate, if you go to DCC, then you may well want just an AC transformar as this is what i have. 24 V @ 6 A does a real lot of work say 3 locos at once, several signals and lighted trackside appliances as well as 14 sets of electrically operated points.

Rgds Ian