How do you know how many feet of track a power pack will power? I have been out of the hobby for a while and am getting back into it. I have an approximatly 11x18 foot L shaped layout with a loop going all the way around it. I have feeder wires soldered about every 4 feet or so with a Tech 2 railmaster 2400 pack. I can get an engine to run for about 5 seconds but after that the overload light comes on and it will not run. I am assuming i need a booster pack or something like that but I am not sure. . .
The problem you're describing doesn't sound like you have too small of a power pack, or too much track hooked up to it. A Tech 2- 2400 has an output of 17 VA (Watts) or about 1 Amp, plenty to drive most locomotives. The number of feeders you have should compensate for the distance the current needs to travel. Even if you didn't have them, it wouldn't cause an overload, the locomotive would just slow down or stop.
It sounds more like there's a problem in your wiring (did you set up a reverse loop or wye in your track plan?) or there's a problem with the locomotive. Do you have any other locomotives to test it with? Are there any cars on the track? Are any of these lighted? If so, remove them and try again.
This is not a power pack issue. You have some kind of 'short' in your track wiring. Remove all engines/cars from the layout and turn on the power pack(full throttle). See if you get the 'overload' lamp. I suspect you have some kind of wiring issue.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
How many loco's are you trying to run on the layout? As noted with a single loco you should't have a problem. The size of the power source needed doesn't change with the size of the layout. It only changes with the amount of equipment you are trying to run.
Springfield PA
Yes it is a wiring issue. I have a 3 way turnout that i think is the problem. I will try removing it to see if that eleminates the problem. Thank you!!
fitzih29 Yes it is a wiring issue. I have a 3 way turnout that i think is the problem. I will try removing it to see if that eleminates the problem. Thank you!!
A double pole double throw, center off switch is one way you can fix the issue, if it is from a reverse loop. As I recall Atlas still makes those 210 Twin reversing switches too.
Richard
If the location of the problem is at the 3-way turnout, you probably have a reverse polarity issue rather than a problem with the turnout itself. So, rather than removing the 3-way turnout, check your wiring and use a multimeter on the rails.
Rich
Alton Junction
I am looking into the possibility of transferring to DCC, but would like to know if there are any DCC systems that will be portable enough and compact enough as a Tech 4 Dual Power Pack.
Also, I have a 2.5' by 4 ' layout, with a double track mainline, I have two-three feeder wire pairs on each loop. What is the cheapest and most effective DCC system for me?