Soo Line fan wrote:The problem with the 280 dual throttle types is they use one common transformer. This will require you to double gap the entire layout. Normally one rail is common and the other one is gapped with dual cab control. I would use separate controllers. Jim
The problem with the 280 dual throttle types is they use one common transformer. This will require you to double gap the entire layout. Normally one rail is common and the other one is gapped with dual cab control. I would use separate controllers.
Jim
Not true. All MRC dual and triple power packs since the 1960s have had independent transformers to specifically allow common rail wiring. With other brands of power packs this was not necessarily the case.
But I agree, separate controllers are a lot easier for 2 operators to use. Even with just 1 operator, it often gets confusing as to which throttle on a dual pack is controlling which train. Don't ask me how I know this.
easily confused by extra knobs
Fred W
Hi,
Those who posted before me pretty much reflect my opinions on the subject. MRC makes a terrific product, and I have used them for a good 35 years or more.
I would go with two of the best packs you can afford, with the bells and whistles of course. Regarding walkaround, I wrestled with that for years and ended up biting the bullet and getting two of the MRC Controlmaster 20s. Yes, I admit it might be overkill (???) for my 15 x 11 layout, but they sure do work nice and never lack for power. I also use an older controlmaster (forgot the model) for accessories such as turnouts and lights.
One other thing to keep in mind is that if/when you ever jump into the DCC pool, any excess MRC items you have will surely sell on Ebay (keep the packaging!).
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
DeadheadGreg wrote: Would the 280 be the best way to go, or can you hook up the others so that you can have different cabs you can select for them to use?
Would the 280 be the best way to go, or can you hook up the others so that you can have different cabs you can select for them to use?
I asked the same question about the MRC 280 a couple years ago, and several people told me the throttles were not as independant as advertised, speeding a train up on one side would slow down the train running off the other throttle. No personal experience, because I took those warnings to heart and decided to use spearate power packs, which also eliminated any questions about having momentum available or not.
We use three tech IV MRCs here, a pair of 220's and one 260. No problems with any of them, except the throttle percentage lettering wore off the oldest one, so you have to eyeball the setting. For all our locomotive consists, a 30% setting on the 260 yields the same train speed as a 30% setting on a 220. If you have to, moving a train from one controller to another as it changes mainlines is possible. For reasons unknown, there isn't even a speed surge as a locomotive straddles the electrical junction between mainlines, and gets power from two power packs at once. Smooth and even speeds during the crossover.
The main electrical leads from each of the three mainlines track run to the outputs of a three(+) way rotary gang switch. All three power packs have feedlines running to each of the three inputs on the rotary gang switches. This way any one, any two, or all three mainlines can receive power and control from a given MRC unit. You can run three different trains at once, using three different controllers, or all three from one controller, or any combination of two and one in between.
Electrically, I call this a "matrix", and I bring it up because our control system is a little more complex than described above. Instead of a two tiered matrix, controllers and mainlines, it is actually a three tiered matrix, with three DC based sound controller modules forming the middle tier of the matrix. Each of the three mainlines can receive power from any of three sound control units. Then in turn, any of the three sound control units can recieve power from any of the three power packs. Theoretically, all three mainlines could receive signals from one sound module, run by one power pack, or each mainline could receive power from one sound module powered by separate power packs, or any combination in between. Very handy when a train moves from one mainline to another, its controller and sound module "follows" the train from mainline to mainline, making matching throttle settings unnecessary.
Our control panels for each of the three controllers are just far enough apart that three different people can operate them, but close enough together that one person can reach all of them from a single chair. Most of the time, one person is controlling the entire layout, and it spoils the fun to be constantly hopping up to change a setting.
Your layout may have different needs, this set-up works for us, but it's up to you to decide what your own priorities are. This is just an example of one way to do it.
I'd have to go back and look at the MRC website to check it out, but as I recall the MRC powerpacks with the momentum were only single-throttle unit. Anyway, I have both Tech II and Tech IV dual-powerpacks from my DC days, and neither had momentum. Both work very well, The Tech II is about 20 years old now and the Tech IV is maybe 10 years old?? When I got the Tech IV powerpack, I switched the Tech II to accessories - nice to have two controls for lighting (interior on one, streetlights on the other for example) and retired my Golden Trottlepack from 1971 - it was actually getting rust on it and hummed a bit, but lasted over 25 years in service.
BTW MRC does make walkaround controllers too, since you mentioned something about having two different throttles at different places.
thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it.
just one thing tho: so am i taking it that unless it has a distinct, separate momentum control, it will not have it? I'm just confused because one place is saw the dual 2800 model said that it had momentum technology built in
If you can live without the joys? of DCC, then you'll find that block control powered by an MRC pack is as close to bullet proof as you can get. Most of you guys will get a laugh out of this, but Im still using some 50's vintage MRC packs that were given to me as a kid as power sources. (I've up dated the controls with momentum throttles). I mention this because besides proving that I'm incredibly cheap, they show the kind of life you can expect to get out of a quality product like MRC. Having owned both the dual pack, and a single pack, I'd go for two separate cabs everytime. MUCH easier for two operators. You might also consider some of the hand held throttles MRC has marketed. On a long cord they allow a degree of walk around control. I've currently got one cab set up with a staionary control, and the other as a handheld, and like the system alot.
JBB
I have been using a tech 4 280 for a new N scale layout with EZ track .,,,, run two or three locos ,,
No issues ,,,I have been very pleased with the product ,,,,
I have had it for about 8 months
Having two or more seperate power packs I feel is the way to go. You can have a main panel with one or two, then have a seperate smaller panel with one at each location (yard, town, etc) where someone may be working. I think it is the Atlas Wiring book that I have (old but still useful for DC) uses their selector switch. At the location a second selector selects whether you want main panel or local panel. The person working that area can select his power to do his work and when the continuous is coming by, just throw the switch back to the main panel. Their newer books should have a similar set of wiring diagrams.
As for the older models without momentum and other features, use them for the train that is running continuously or for accessory power, test tracks or whatever.
Have fun,
I can't comment on any of the OP's candidates for power, but we've had a TECH II Dualpower 2800 serving the layout now for 10+ years now without a single hickup...
But if I had to do it again, I'd opt for separate power packs in different areas myself as well.
Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R. My patio layout....SEE IT HERE
There's no place like ~/ ;)
Looking purely at ergonomics, if you might ever have two or more operators it would be better if each could control one train from one control station with one throttle and one reverse switch. I wouldn't want to hear the comments if two people were trying to handle locomotive controls only a few inches apart. (It's bad enough when two people are trying to operate from a single station panel.)
Accessory power can be anything that provides appropriate voltage - toy train controllers (picked up at yard sales,) wall warts, whatever. My switch machines and some of my lighting is powered by an inexpensive filament transformer (packaged in a disposable plastic freezer box, to keep careless fingers out of the 120VAC house current.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL system)
right, yeah I just finished reading a lengthy thread about wiring for different blocks.
anyone have any opinions on the Tech II 3000GS?
I would tend to go for the two separate packs and get yourself an old computer power supply for accessories.
I would suggest running heavier bus wire around the layout and then using smaller gauge wire for feeders to the track. Solder joints wherever possible.
What you described earlier, using one pack with switching will only allow control of one cab at a time, either A or B. Never both at the same time. You need two packs or a dual pack for that unless you go to DCC.
yeah exactly, thats where I'm looking. I'm just having a hard time deciding what to do haha.
any suggestions on connecting the power pack to the track?
yeah thats what I've been looking into. I'm just trying to decide whether its a better investment to buy two individual packs so that i can have the extras for each cab or just buy the tech 4 280 or something with 2 controls, because they all say that theres good slow speed momentum type stuff built into the throttle's power
Hey everyone. I've been searching for a while and can't seem to find the answer to what I'm looking for here in any old threads. I just want to know everyones opinions on a few power packs:
MRC Tech III 9000
MRC Train Power 3000
MRC Tech IV 220
MRC Tech IV 260
MRC Tech IV 280
I'm modeling HO, and I can get these at great prices; I'm building my first legitimate layout (after many half-attempts). Its not going to be huge, but I want to have at least 2 cabs, a mainline and yard/branch so that i can have a continuous running train while doing switching. Would the 280 be the best way to go, or can you hook up the others so that you can have different cabs you can select for them to use? As in wire the output to some sort of switch that is wired to both cabs, or would this then kill the power to the other cab? My only gripe with the 280 is that it only has direction switches, and nothing for momentum or braking (as the Tech III does). Does the throttle have a sort of momentum/slow operation sort-of feature built into the main throttle? As in will it operate well on low throttle settings without a specific momentum or slow-motion control feature?
thanks!!!