I have 2 MRC Tech II power packs and am wondering if they can be used as boosters on the new layout I am building? If so is there anything special I should do with them? These units have a fixed DC output connection as well as the usual variable one. Would it be best to attach to that when using it as a booster?
I'm on a very tight budget so any way I can save money will be a big help. DCC is great but it sure isn't cheap.
NO, a DC power pack cannot be used as a DCC booster. But you might be able to use one as the power supply for a DCC booster, depending on the brand and output of the booster.
Most power packs don't put out enough amperage to be used even as the power supply for a DCC booster, though.
Nope, but would start a cool fire!
Why do you need a booster? All the DCC systems I know of have a booster / track power (same thing) with there system. Even the little Bachmann E Z Command has sufficient power to run 2 to 3 (I have one it) sound engines.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
LION does not do DCC, but him has a BIG regulated power supply putting out 15 amps on the tracks.
I can run 8 trains at a time (the equivalent of 12 locomotives) without breaking a sweat. Of course I have started a couple of small fires with it so I have to use some industrial grade circuit protection.
The car is going to have to make a trip to the Coney Island shops for some body work.
LION uses resistors embedded in the tracks to slow the trains as they approach the station, A derailment put a short across the tracks, and burnt up the resistor which was rated for only a few seconds of service at a time. Sure the train stopped but by the time I realized it was in trouble and hit the power cutoff switch, the fire had started. The LION is now going to wire a truck tail lamp in series with every track feeder: when all is working the current passes through the lamp, but is too low to light it, but in the event of a short the lamp will light, taking the current and telling me where on my 14 miles of track the problem is. I have to use separate lamps instead of one master lamp for the entire railroad, because when I get several trains all running at once they will draw enough current to light the lamp defeeting its porpoise. (But then porpoise do not have feats anyway.)
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Use your Tech IIs for power accessories like lights and/or turnouts. I like to use the DC output instead of the AC on a power pack so that I can "dial down" the voltage to my incandescent bulbs. They still burn very realistically at 55-60% but last a lot longer at the lower voltage.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.