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AC volts vs. DC volts w/ MTH loco's

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  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Harford County, Maryland
  • 86 posts
AC volts vs. DC volts w/ MTH loco's
Posted by mmr1229 on Sunday, February 6, 2011 3:42 PM

I'm a little confused, I just bought a MTH ho locomotive with the PS3 and the instructions clearly indicate that the train is dcc compatable, but says "MTH loco's do not operate on AC power and could cause damage and void the warrenty." I thought all dcc systems were AC and I know that when I test my track voltage it reads in AC volts on my voltmeter. I'm not sure what to do, I hope there is a way around this. I have a Digitrax DB150 command station. Thank you.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, February 6, 2011 4:29 PM

DCC track voltage is not AC in the normal use of the term -- it is a high frequency square wave AC signal.  MTH means that you can't run the train on sine wave AC like that that comes out of your household outlet.

 

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: The banks of the St. Lawrence
  • 208 posts
Posted by RailfanS on Sunday, February 6, 2011 4:40 PM

mmr1229

"MTH loco's do not operate on AC power and could cause damage and void the warrenty." 

This is probably in the manual because AC transformers are used to power conventional O and Standard gauge trains, which MTH also produces. An NMRA compliant DCC system (such as your Digitrax system) won't harm the locomotive. 

Just what I think,

Jamie

Cape Vincent Southern Railroad

HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Southern California
  • 35 posts
Posted by Santa Fe Rick on Sunday, February 27, 2011 11:34 PM

I wanted to chime in and let you know if you plan to use MTH's DCS system, you must use as DC power supply to power the MTH DCS TIU fixed channels rather than AC like you would use powering most DCC systems. However,you mentioned a Digitrax system and MTH HO will run fine on that and other NMRA compliant DCC systems.

 

Ricky

Santa Fe - All the way! Missouri Pacific - Route of the Eagles! 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Monday, February 28, 2011 3:16 PM

As noted earlier you're fine running on DCC. The AC they refer to is from a power supply and could do damage.

Springfield PA

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