Will my Dash-9 run on 1 Amp PS?...

[Anonymous]

I have a AristoCraft Dash-9 on the way. Only power supply I have right now is the Bachmann 1 amp. that came with a set. I know I'll need a bigger Power Supply when I set up my track outdoors, but will the 1 amp. be enough for the Dash-9 to run a 12ft, point to point in the house, just to see it run for a bit?

Sure hope so, ..... else may be an emergency run to LHS for bigger power supply.

OkieRRr

[tangerine-jack]

Sure, no problem! The Dash-9 shouldn't draw anywhere near that much amperage just running a few feet back and forth. I still have my 1amp B'mann controller and I use it for all kinds of testing and such. It surprizes me sometimes how much 1amp can do on clean, level track. Now outside on 150' of filthy grades, well........that's where 10 amps is nice to have.

[Anonymous]

Hi Okie:

It might, but then the point to point thing comes up. It takes more amps at first to get something moving, so it may not be enough.

The B-mann starter set loco doesn't have near the amp draw and weight that the big dash will have, were talking 2 big motor blocks.

I would suggest you get a least a 5 or 10 amp power supply if your going outside.

Have Fun with your big -9: Jeff

[tangerine-jack]

I disagree, Zachspappaw. On a level indoor set up like this guy is talking about 1 amp will be plenty. I've used my 1amp to power up to 75ft of outdoor track with no problem. From what I gather, he is just using the 12ft as a test track. Sure, 1amp won't pull a Dash-9 with 25 cars behind it, but he isn't going to do this, he just wants to play with his train!

This brings up an issue I have every time a newbie asks a question. Sooner or later somebody will post "you need a QZ-1000 upgradable widgit with 999 cab capactiy". Ok, let me see, a guy only knows he wants to get into the hobby and already we are telling him to upgrade to professional style equipment? For goodness sakes! Start out with something BASIC so you can learn HOW things work, and WHAT you actually want. So what if you outgrow BASIC equipment in a year or two? You can always keep or sell the older stuff anyway, or use it for something else. I'm worried that we are scaring away potential hobbiest by overloaded them on info. Get the BASIC stuff and LEARN from that. You might find (as I have) that the BASIC is all you ever really want.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jeff and Jack for the replies.

Jack you have it pretty well pegged on what I want to do with the Dash-9 right now. Test it a little, and play alot <g>.

Where is that UPS driver?....

OkieRRr

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I go with jack all the way on this subject! We all had to grow into this thing!

Jack is not advising what would be a mistake or waste of money. He's advising just what most say, get something running, then think about upgrade when you know more about what you need, want, and can afford!.

He's also right about using the starter kit power pac as a test track unit in the future after the power supply is upgraded to handle the outdoor layout! I did that until grandson fried the little unit; then bought a decent unit for test track.

What's that big brown truck coming through the smoke? Is that a Dash-9 pushing it?

[Anonymous]

Big Grin...... Yep Capt Bob Johnson, thats what it was, the big brown truck.

Got it all unpacked, read the book on it (small book - luckily).....put it on the 12 ft. of LGB track, with the 1 amp, Bachmann controller, and away she went, lights and all. Thanks Jack for the good info.

Seems to run fine. Man, that thing is big though. Was used to the Bachmann 4-6-0. Sure looks pretty when all them lights come on. Can't wait to get that 150' of outdoor track, and a new power supply up and going. But guess I'll have to wait till spring. No time or money left right now.

I sound like a 16 year old who just bought a car. <g> Actually I'm near 60, but just as excited.

Thanks for you all answering my questions.....Will be talking to you later....(If I can pry my hand off this controller.)

OkieRRr

[tmcc man]

What roadname is your Dash9? I was thinking of getting the Norfolk Southern Dash9 Roadrailer set. Really good price at Trainworld in NY, but they had none in stock.

[tangerine-jack]

All right! WAY COOL! You are officialy hooked! Yeah, they are BIG aren't they[:D]

Thrill, that's what it's all about. Wait until you actually pull something with the beast!

Bob is right, a bigger power supply is only a few $$ more than the smaller one. I think my 10amp was about $12 more than the 5amp, so the choice was clear. You will keep a power supply for many years as controllers come and go, so buy the nicest one you can reasonably afford. I still use my old 1amp to power accesories, and leave the 10amp for the trains. Nothing is ever wasted but time[;)]

[Anonymous]

tmcc man....It is a Norfolk Southern, (horsehead).....looks great, and runs good too. I just got the engine. Now, wish I could get sound for it. But, got to get some track layed outside, and a good power supply first.

Sounds like good advise, Jack. Now to find the best deal on one.

Thanks for the replies.....

OkieRRr

[tmcc man]

Okie, I have the Aristocraft Ultima Power supply (10 AMPS) and I got it for a good price. Now, I am glad I got it because I have an Aristo RS3 from York, ECLSTS, and I put sound in it (Phoenix) added new LGB F7's A&B units. I have only 10 freight cars, but a few more LGB engines, a Porter, the Chloe, and the European starter set, and Pabst and Sprite reefers, and some other European cars. I will dig around for pics of them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack

I disagree, Zachspappaw.

This brings up an issue I have every time a newbie asks a question. Sooner or later somebody will post "you need a QZ-1000 upgradable widgit with 999 cab capactiy". Ok, let me see, a guy only knows he wants to get into the hobby and already we are telling him to upgrade to professional style equipment? For goodness sakes! Start out with something BASIC so you can learn HOW things work, and WHAT you actually want. So what if you outgrow BASIC equipment in a year or two? You can always keep or sell the older stuff anyway, or use it for something else. I'm worried that we are scaring away potential hobbiest by overloaded them on info. Get the BASIC stuff and LEARN from that. You might find (as I have) that the BASIC is all you ever really want.

Where did you read all that from what I said Jack?[?]

I said "IF he goes outside" he would want to get a bigger transformer. [:p]

Where am I getting this? From my experience. When I was a newbie I spend good money to buy a larger transformer when I went outside and found I didn't buy big enought right away and I had to spend more money again to get what I needed. Then I was stuck with the midsize transformer that no one would buy, and out the money. [B)]

I was hoping to help him not make that mistake, the larger transformer I purchased was not much more money than the midsize one. [;)]

BTW, Okie: glad you got her runnin and like it.[:D]

Have Fun: Jeff [8D]

[Anonymous]

I belive in the long run the Dash-9 will slowly overheat your 1 amp transformer and "cook" your transformer.'s elements. A 5 amp or larger mostlikely would be a nicer option. Old electroics saying i learned in high school; "never enough amps within reasoning".

mikadousrp

[tangerine-jack]

Jeff,
that statement wasn't directed at you exactly, I guess I was just lashing out at what I consider a fault in all of these forums- ie. when a newbie asks a question he gets overloaded with techno garbage and probably goes away unhappy or more confused. This kind of thing is going on over at the HO forum, probably more so than here. Sorry if you were offended in any way, I didn't mean that as any kind of personal attack.

Yes, I do agree 100% that you should buy the largest POWER supply you can afford because of the flexibility of the extra amps. As far as controllers are concerned, IMHO they come and go with the wind, so a newbie should buy a basic one and then see what he (or she) wants to do from there. I ran a basic rheostat type transformer for many years before I went to the Crest TE, and I found that to be a good move for me.

I think the issue is that a newbie does NOT need the latest high tech gizmo when he (or she) doesn't really have a good idea what they want to do. I say put down a circle of track, then take that old crusty brick and pretend it's a warehouse full of widgets. Run a train to it. Then use an old mop bucket as a "customer" and take the widgets to the customer. Like it? Ok, now add that old car part and pretend it's a passanger station. Don't like that? OK, move it off. Now run the train back to the warehouse to be filled up again. Got another idea for that old shoe box? OK, see if it works!

Now fast forward a year, this newbie now has 900ft of track serving 8 industries with 6 trains a day serving the "empire", or still has a circle of track with some birdhouse buildings but 200 species of plants and a killer pond with Koi. During that year he (or she) has done:
1. sparked an interest in the hobby
2. determined what kind of railroading they like
3. figured out how all this G scale stuff works
4. knows what kind of equipment they realy need.
5. figured out if they like the railroading or the gardening better, and has come to a happy medium.

This in the long run saves them from buying a $600 control system when they are only running one train. Power will always be used, technical gizmos may or may not. That is the point I'm trying to make. The basic stuff is for learning from, the advanced stuff is for when you've outgrown the basic (if ever).

Ok, no hard feelings?

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jeff, its great so far. I've just got to get sound, or else put in crossing gates in the bedroom. ( Afraid this big Dash 9 might break her leg if it ran into her <grin>)

Jack, sounds like you give sound advise, and makes sense about starting slow. Thanks for your input. (PS - can't wait until a year from now when I have 900 ft of track, 8 industries and 6 trains, and 200 species of plants <grin>) I already have the KOI pond, but its not situated in a good place to run trains around it.

Ooops....I hear the Dash 9 calling, back to the breakin process <grin>

Thanks guys....

OkieRRr

[tmcc man]

Okie, check out: www.phoenixsound.com. I have this sound system in my RS3, the 2K2 board, and I love it. If I get a Dash 9, I will put sound in it. The neat thing is, the sounds are of the actual engines, not just one put into every diesel.

[piercedan]

After getting several starter sets, my first power pack purchase was a 10 amp unit.

Only unregulated supplies were available when I startee, but I was inside with R1 curves and did not need the top end.

When I went outdoors and added an SD-45 I saw the limit of this supply and went to a regulated 24 volt supply. PLenty of top end power and I only use it for 2 SD-45's pulling a high speed passenger train.. I still use that 10 amp unregulated supply for my smaller track (r1) loops that I have outdoors.

So my message here is if you need more power, go big if you think you will be getting these newer powerful engines in the future.

[Anonymous]

Jack:

"Sorry if you were offended in any way"

There was no problem at all Jack, Thanks.

Have Fun: Jeff[8D]